algea on the back of the seahorse

[cubman20]

I just got my first. It been in there two weeks eats great . but there is a little algea on the back. Is this normal.

 

[pledosophy]

Normal, very common in the wild. Will not hurt the horse.

 

[reefD]

mine grows some nice colorful stuff on her back. very common as stated and no worries. funny thing...i once saw a snail crawling on the back of one of my horses eating the algea off of it! it was at night so the horse tolerated the snail....as it was sleeping / groggy i guess

 

[seas_inside]

Yep, it's nothing to worry about. Seahorses are rather slow moving creatures, so algae could get a grip.

 

[Fredfish]

And on the creapy side, I have seen bristle worms crawl on my horses without any reaction from the horse.

As an ambush predator, the more life growing and crawling on you, the more you look like part of the scenery

Wierd, but ok.

Fred

 

[BruceW]

If you want to remove the algae use a toothbrush designed for babies, very soft bristles.

 

[Fredfish]

Bruce. I know your suggestion is well meant, but its not a good idea.

Brushing will also remove the horses natural protective coating and may damage skin causing uneeded exposuere to infection.

Fred

 

[BruceW]

That's why you use a baby toothbrush. It is so soft that it won't damage a seahorse. Most of the time the algae is not that well attached that you have to scrub your horse. If it doesn't come off right away then just leave it. I have done this many times and it works when you have cyno on your horse as it peals right off.

Healthy horses are not that fragile that you have to avoid touching them. Believe me a pouch evacuation is much more stressful then a quick brushing with a baby toothbrush.

Bruce

 

[Fredfish]

I'm glad its working for you Bruce. I guess I just don't think it is a good idea to disturb a fishes slime coat as it is there to protect the fish against pathogens.

I'm glad I have never had to do a pouch evacuation.

Fred