Fin Trouble ID Please!

seanothon

New member
The SH has been in QT since Tuesday when I got it. I just noticed this yesterday, not for certain if it was there earlier but I have been watching it so I think I would have seen it. Not sure what it is. Doesn't look quite like ich but I could not say for sure. The SH, otherwise, is fine. swimming around and eating fine.
 

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Hmm...very hard to tell with those pics. I'd try for some better photos, and otherwise just watch to see if it gets worse. Horses don't USUALLy get ich, but it can be possible. I'd worry about a necrosis issue more than ich.
 
I'll try to get some better pics but I don't know if I'll get any. necrosis? I'm unfamiliar with this. The fin appears to have some white spots on it but it also appears milky in some parts, not like it was salted like ich. The spots appear to be on the fins edges are seem larger than ich would be
 
what temp was it at and now. You could get artemiss and treat the tank. It does not hurt the biology of the tank.

It was about 75 when I put it in, I overcompensated over that first night and it went to about 78 then I took it back down and it has been around 72-74 since. I'll look into artemiss.
 
You say it's in QT, yes? What is your water chemistry like? Ammonia, 'trites, 'trates, and pH readings?

It's a good sign that she's eating. It's still very tough to tell from those shots...can you get some better ones? From your description, I don't think it's ich, but I can't give you any firm answers..just some best guesses. Tissue necrosis is a generalized term for any bacterial infection that causes tissue death and erosion. For example, snout and tail rot are types of necrosis usually caused by Vibrio infections.

Is she (it is a she, yes?) using the fin regularly, or is she keeping it clamped down against her body a lot? Fin rot is a known condition in seahorses, and from your description sounds like an issue she might have. Fin rot is considered a little less threatening than other necroses for our horses, but still something that needs to be taken seriously. Fin rot can be cause by a number of different bacteria that lie semi-dormant both in the tank and on the horse. These bugs typically start to get out of control when the animal is stressed (a move to a new home, for instance!) and when water quality is poor....which brings me back to my earlier question about the Big 4 for your water chemistry.

If your parameters are out of whack, I'd recommend at least a 50% water change. Even if they're in line, I'd still do at least a 25% water change every couple days. Lower the water temp to 70 if you can by putting a fan over the top if you don't have a chiller...this will slow the bacterial growth and give her time to let her natural defenses take over. And by all means, WATCH that fin. If it's getting worse, you may need to use an antibiotic, but I wouldn't do that just yet....remember, I'm going off of some guess work here from your description and could be DEAD wrong.
 
You say it's in QT, yes? What is your water chemistry like? Ammonia, 'trites, 'trates, and pH readings?

It's a good sign that she's eating. It's still very tough to tell from those shots...can you get some better ones? From your description, I don't think it's ich, but I can't give you any firm answers..just some best guesses. Tissue necrosis is a generalized term for any bacterial infection that causes tissue death and erosion. For example, snout and tail rot are types of necrosis usually caused by Vibrio infections.

Is she (it is a she, yes?) using the fin regularly, or is she keeping it clamped down against her body a lot? Fin rot is a known condition in seahorses, and from your description sounds like an issue she might have. Fin rot is considered a little less threatening than other necroses for our horses, but still something that needs to be taken seriously. Fin rot can be cause by a number of different bacteria that lie semi-dormant both in the tank and on the horse. These bugs typically start to get out of control when the animal is stressed (a move to a new home, for instance!) and when water quality is poor....which brings me back to my earlier question about the Big 4 for your water chemistry.

If your parameters are out of whack, I'd recommend at least a 50% water change. Even if they're in line, I'd still do at least a 25% water change every couple days. Lower the water temp to 70 if you can by putting a fan over the top if you don't have a chiller...this will slow the bacterial growth and give her time to let her natural defenses take over. And by all means, WATCH that fin. If it's getting worse, you may need to use an antibiotic, but I wouldn't do that just yet....remember, I'm going off of some guess work here from your description and could be DEAD wrong.

The parameters are all perfect except for some elevated nitrates (20-40) temp is around 72. I'll put a fan above the tank to try to lower it. It looks like a she but I am new to the seahorse game, so I could be wrong but I don't see a pouch. I've been doing a water change about every day. Will probably miss today's (st pattys) so I did a larger one yesterday. It is swimming around regularly. Fin is not clamped except when it's stationary, which I assume is normal. I'll try to get better photos tomorrow.
 
The parameters are all perfect except for some elevated nitrates (20-40) temp is around 72. I'll put a fan above the tank to try to lower it. It looks like a she but I am new to the seahorse game, so I could be wrong but I don't see a pouch. I've been doing a water change about every day. Will probably miss today's (st pattys) so I did a larger one yesterday. It is swimming around regularly. Fin is not clamped except when it's stationary, which I assume is normal. I'll try to get better photos tomorrow.

Yes, that's normal. Good job on the water changes, just make sure the temp, pH, and salinity match when you're doing multiple water changes like that. You say the parameters are perfect...you have your own tests, and the Amm and nitrite are 0? I'm only asking because some less than reputable LFS's will test your water and say "you're good" even with a little ammonia showing. I've seen it happen (not at MY lfs!)

I wouldn't go dosing anything just yet. I think you're on the right track - close observation, clean tank, and patience. There are smarter people than I who will hopefully chime in when you get the new pics posted. Enjoy St Pattys!
 
Yes, that's normal. Good job on the water changes, just make sure the temp, pH, and salinity match when you're doing multiple water changes like that. You say the parameters are perfect...you have your own tests, and the Amm and nitrite are 0? I'm only asking because some less than reputable LFS's will test your water and say "you're good" even with a little ammonia showing. I've seen it happen (not at MY lfs!)

I wouldn't go dosing anything just yet. I think you're on the right track - close observation, clean tank, and patience. There are smarter people than I who will hopefully chime in when you get the new pics posted. Enjoy St Pattys!

Yeah, I have my own test kits and they're all 0. Thanks for the help!
 
Here are some more shots. It seems to have gotten better, somewhat. I am not seeing much of the spots but it does still look milky.
 

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I'm with MTC. I can't see much other than what appears to be a normal fin edge. I'm sure it's tough to get a good pic of this area.
 
So it doesn't look too milky to anyone? I may be just seeing things myself after the spots left. I'll keep a good eye on it over the next little bit just to make sure.
 
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