how do you tell if you male is pregnant?

[seahorselover09]

ok so do the males have really big bellys when their pregnant? I know different species are different. But is it really noticeable? my males pouch looks big but not enormous.. So how do you tell if they are pregnant?

 

[rayjay]

Sometimes you are lucky enough to see the egg transfer.
First, the female should get fatter than normal, and after the transfer she will again be normal, at least until she develops a load of eggs again.
The male will have a fuller pouch that will increasingly get fatter until the birthing, after which, if the female is again ready, he may accept another transfer of eggs the same day as the birthing. Often while pregnant, the male becomes reclusive.
HOWEVER, males tend to inflate their pouches with water as a sign to the female that he is ready and willing to mate.
If the pouch is inflated and the seahorse is floating then you have pouch emphysema, often because of deteriorating water conditions even if it looks great.

 

[seahorselover09]

Sometimes you are lucky enough to see the egg transfer.
First, the female should get fatter than normal, and after the transfer she will again be normal, at least until she develops a load of eggs again.
The male will have a fuller pouch that will increasingly get fatter until the birthing, after which, if the female is again ready, he may accept another transfer of eggs the same day as the birthing. Often while pregnant, the male becomes reclusive.
HOWEVER, males tend to inflate their pouches with water as a sign to the female that he is ready and willing to mate.
If the pouch is inflated and the seahorse is floating then you have pouch emphysema, often because of deteriorating water conditions even if it looks great.

thanks rayjay for the info.. she was rather large a few days ago and now shes slimmed down again, and his pouch appears to be getting bigger, thats what I wanted to know it will get bigger in time and not all at once???.. I didnt get to witness the mating or if she did actually deposit eggs, he had been doing alot of dancing around her and jerking.. So I will just keep an eye on him now and watch and see if it does get larger,, hes not boyant at all swimming really well and seems to be doing great, so I dont think hes sick . their both very active and playful all day long, him more so hes always on the move and playing in the currents.. thanks for your info.. how soon should i recognize it growing more like everyday it should get larger if he is pregnant?

 

[rayjay]

Being that active suggests that he is probably still courting and not really pregnant, but that's not an absolute. Any of my males have been reclusive when pregnant irregardless of species.

 

[seahorselover09]

Being that active suggests that he is probably still courting and not really pregnant, but that's not an absolute. Any of my males have been reclusive when pregnant irregardless of species.

thanks rayjay for all the info. i will just keep watching him.