horsewhisperer
New member
One of my seahorses continues to use her tail to "scratch" the top of her head and down her back. Is this a sign of parasites?
Thank you.
Thank you.
parasites or an itch??
- Thread starter horsewhisperer
- Start date
horsewhisperer
New member
They are captive bred horses. I have another one doing the same thing. The last one died. How would I do a fresh water dip??
horsewhisperer
New member
update
update
It looks like one of his fins are infected. I am putting him in a hospital tank with trisulfa. Any other ideas?
update
It looks like one of his fins are infected. I am putting him in a hospital tank with trisulfa. Any other ideas?
DanU
New member
Even CB seahorses can be succeptible to ectoparasites. When I see scratching activity, my first thought is parasites. First treatment option is FW dip. 2nd is a formalin immersion. Depending upon the setup, either long term bath or 45 minute bath at higher concentration.
To perform a FW dip, get some clean freshwater that is chlorine/chloramine free. Oxygenate it well and make sure the emperature and ph match the tank the horses are in. Place the seahorse(s) in the FW with a hitch post and airline. I usually shoot for 8 minutes. If the horse handles it fine, I assume it has very little parasite load. If it thrashes about and reacts to the FW dip, I assume the osmotic pressure difference is wreaking havoc on the parasites and irritating the seahorse. In those cases, I leave the seahorse in the dip longer up to 12 to 15 minutes.
Can you get a good macro shot of the fins? How about a history and tank setup with description of tankmates? Parameters?
Dan
To perform a FW dip, get some clean freshwater that is chlorine/chloramine free. Oxygenate it well and make sure the emperature and ph match the tank the horses are in. Place the seahorse(s) in the FW with a hitch post and airline. I usually shoot for 8 minutes. If the horse handles it fine, I assume it has very little parasite load. If it thrashes about and reacts to the FW dip, I assume the osmotic pressure difference is wreaking havoc on the parasites and irritating the seahorse. In those cases, I leave the seahorse in the dip longer up to 12 to 15 minutes.
Can you get a good macro shot of the fins? How about a history and tank setup with description of tankmates? Parameters?
Dan
