New dwarfs and Hydroids

[TanyaT]

Hi Everyone. I got my dwarfs on Friday. At the same time I stupidly added some macro algea (fresh water dipped). Well on Sunday I notice one of the females had hydroids on her tail just below the base of her belly. It started with 2 and now maybe like 8 kind of hard to count since they are bunched together. On Monday I started the panacur using the granules 1.5ml per advice from Dan and Abbie Seahorse source) Wednesday did another dose but also noticed she was starting to twitch and her tale was pinkish looking really irritated I talked to them again and decided to do a freshwater dip for 8 minutes. Now during this time she was eating great! during the fresh water dip she thrashed a little but pretty much just layed there. since puttting her back in the tank she has not been eating and has been breathing very heavy. None of the hydroids fell off. Is there a way to get them off of her? Abbie suggested some nylon but I dont have any. Is there anything I can do for the irritation on her tail? I have been adding the probiotics to the tank. Using decapped brine from Dan and Dans feed. They said I should up the dose (panacur) a bit so I will do 2ml tomorrow. Also said I should do another round next week. Which I will do I am just worried about her and want to do everything I can to help her!!

Thanks for any advice given!!!!!

 

[rayjay]

You can't beat the advise you have been given.

 

[TanyaT]

I understand that But there is nothing else I can do to get them off of her? or help her tail heal so its not irritated?

 

[rayjay]

I've never had that problem myself and I haven't heard of others having hydroids on the seahorse themselves, only stings from hydroids that are in the tank.
I guess I would try to remove them with something like Q-Tips first, and then treat with Furan II in the hospital tank afterwards.
Have you tried to remove them with tweezers?
The Furan II should keep the wounds from having bacterial problems.

 

[TanyaT]

I've never had that problem myself and I haven't heard of others having hydroids on the seahorse themselves, only stings from hydroids that are in the tank.
I guess I would try to remove them with something like Q-Tips first, and then treat with Furan II in the hospital tank afterwards.
Have you tried to remove them with tweezers?
The Furan II should keep the wounds from having bacterial problems.

Thanks yes I have not read this anywhere either. I have not tried to use tweazers yet as I was worried that it wouldnt be ok. I did try a small piece of sock filter and that didnt get them off either. So you think it would be ok to try and pull them off of her? I guess I could try the qtip too but I dont think that would work since the sock didnt :sad1: Could I put some neosporin on her tail as well? I have read that some use that too. or is that a no no on dwarfs? Thanks again!

 

[TanyaT]

Well I tried a qtip and they arent coming off it just looks like her flesh is coming off her tail:sad1::sad1: This is so hard!!! I feel horrible. I know deep down she probably isnt going to make it and I dont want to see her suffer but I really want to try everything I can to try and get her better. I am posting a video if her after I put her back in the tank. :sad1::sad1:

Not that great of a video but you can somewhat see whats going on before the power goes out:hmm2:

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid56.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg181%2Fjadesmom_2006%2F024.mp4">

 

[rayjay]

Are you really sure it's hydroids on her tail and not just wounds from something?
I can't tell from the video.
It should be placed in a hospital tank and temperature lowered to 68° but not more than 4° per day.
Treat with Furan II and you can use the neo as I've used it on wounds of my larger seahorses in the form of Bio Bandage.
You will have to change the water 50% each day and replace the respective amount of Furan II needed for that volume of water removed.
For actually getting off the hydroids, if it really is hydroids on there, I can't suggest anything else other than the tweezers I've already mentioned.
You might try crazy glue (cyanoacrylate) if you can keep it just on the hydroid and let it dry enough before placing back in the tank. A thin coat doesn't take long and whatever is still wet should skim a cover on it as soon as it hits the water.
This could cause the hydroid to die like it does for aiptasia.
All the other dwarfs should be removed from the display tank while treating with Panacur.

 

[rayjay]

I should have read the other forum first.
Sorry you had to put her to sleep. I hate livestock losses of any kind.

 

[TanyaT]

Thanks Ya I just posted it. It does suck but I am glad she is not suffering anymore. Thanks for your help!!!