It's NEVER normal to float at the top.
Seahorse males do get GBD but they also get pouch emphysema.
If it is floating with an inflated pouch then almost always it is pouch emphysema and not pregnant, although it is possible to be both as it is also possible to have GBD at the same time as pouch emphysema.
Many of us feel that it is best not to use the Diamox right off if the problem can be handled in an other manner.
First thing to do is to use something to open up the pouch while holding the seahorse upright under water, allowing any gasses to escape. It can take multiple attempts to get it all out. I use a rubber tipped bobby pin but others use things like a cannula.
It is NOT recommended to "roll" or "squeeze" the gas out with your fingers as you may damage the insides.
Some people prefer to "candle" the seahorse first to see if fry are present, but if the seahorse is floating, to me the important thing is to get the gas out, pregnant or not. I'd rather loose fry than the adult.
The very next thing to do is to reassess your tank husbandry procedures as MOST times it is a water quality issue that causes this.
Testing for ammonia, nitrite phosporus etc.... will NOT give you the answer because this happens even with all those still in line.
You just have to be sure to keep the tank water a lot cleaner by removing all uneaten food, especially what gets trapped under and around rocks and decor. I also like to wipe down the glass surfaces every 7 to 10 days and run a filter that "polishes" the water to remove what gets wiped off, usually bacteria.
Seahorse males do get GBD but they also get pouch emphysema.
If it is floating with an inflated pouch then almost always it is pouch emphysema and not pregnant, although it is possible to be both as it is also possible to have GBD at the same time as pouch emphysema.
Many of us feel that it is best not to use the Diamox right off if the problem can be handled in an other manner.
First thing to do is to use something to open up the pouch while holding the seahorse upright under water, allowing any gasses to escape. It can take multiple attempts to get it all out. I use a rubber tipped bobby pin but others use things like a cannula.
It is NOT recommended to "roll" or "squeeze" the gas out with your fingers as you may damage the insides.
Some people prefer to "candle" the seahorse first to see if fry are present, but if the seahorse is floating, to me the important thing is to get the gas out, pregnant or not. I'd rather loose fry than the adult.
The very next thing to do is to reassess your tank husbandry procedures as MOST times it is a water quality issue that causes this.
Testing for ammonia, nitrite phosporus etc.... will NOT give you the answer because this happens even with all those still in line.
You just have to be sure to keep the tank water a lot cleaner by removing all uneaten food, especially what gets trapped under and around rocks and decor. I also like to wipe down the glass surfaces every 7 to 10 days and run a filter that "polishes" the water to remove what gets wiped off, usually bacteria.
