Seahorse can't eat

[gonegofn]

I hope someone has an answer. We have a 30 gallon seahorse tank, that is down to one Reidi horse. We also have a couple of firefish in there with her. Now for the problem, we have had this tank setup for about 15 months and have had 4 seahorses during this time with up to 3 at any one time. The one left is one of our original horses and has out lived the other 3. Each has suffered the same fate and that is one day they are eating fine and then by the very next feeding, they are still very interested in eating, but can't. They seem to lose suction power, the ability to pull the food in. They just nudge the food when trying to get it. All are/were tank reaised and have always done well on frozen mysis and brine. There is no physical change in their appearance or swimming. The first two we tried both types of antibiotics per our LF who has been raing them for years, but never seen anything like this. Each occurance has been 3-6 months appart and the horses will surive for months. To have had 4 come down with this, we can't believe no one else has ever seen it. Please Help.

Thanks!!

 

[pledosophy]

First thing to do is a fresh water dip.

Get a 5g bucket, and fill it with fresh water. Match the temp and pH to the display tank. Provide a hitch in the bucket for the horse. The put the horse in the bucket for at least 8 minutes. The horse may thrash about for a bit but as long as it does not look like it has passed out and is lying there dead, leave it there.

Often weak snick is caused by parasites. The FW will remove them and hopefully the hrse will be able to eat. If not there could be a bacterial infection, but let's deal with the FW dip first. Do you have antibiotics and a hospital tank available if it comes that?

 

[gonegofn]

Thanks for the reply, we will try that. Yes we have another tank, we tried that with the other 3, but let's see where the fresh thing takes us.

Thanks again, I'll let you know.

 

[reefD]

definate weak snick ...adding seahorses to this set up at different times most likly kept re introducing parasites. when one dies dont get another ...wait and hope others do well. when ording seahorses they tend to be an issue. i like to see them at LFS then i keep an eye on one...if hes still alive a few weeks later i get'em.

 

[reefD]

also test water in tank. whats the levels? and how old is this tank setup?

 

[pledosophy]

Parameters are needed. Would be great to help us help you.

Do you see any discoloration on the tip of the snout?

 

[gonegofn]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the responses. Let me answer everyones questions:

1. PH - 8.3, Nitrates - fluctuate between 10@15, Temp - 76,
alk-2.5
2. It was ususually at least a month before adding others and
this is one of our original 2, so she lived through all the others.
3. Tank is 16-17 months old. We waited 4-6 weeks after starting
it up to add horses and the LF we started with said that all
her horses had been in her tanks for at least 4 weeks.
4. No snout discoloration yet, but it has only been 48 hours. the
others did as time went on and we thought it to be snout rot,
that is why we tried the antibiotics.

I'm getting my fresh water ready now for the dip and I am using R.O. water.

Thanks again and I'll let you know how the dip goes.

 

[pledosophy]

Please let us know about the dip.

I'm one of the extra cautios types but here is my take.

The issue could be one of parasites, but could also be bacterial. Since other seahorses in your system presented with signs of vibriois in there snout rot, your current seahorses has undoubtedly been exposed.

I am not a fan of treating prophylatically with anti biotics, but in your case I would get totaally ready.

If the issue is parasites the lack of food can easily trigger a bacterial infection as well.

If this was me, this is waht I would do.

Go to seahorsesurce.com and order Neo3 if you don't already have it. I would also order a tube feeding kit, and some clove oil in case it comes to that.

I would lower the temp of your display to 69F or below. You can move the horse and then do so if you like. The lower temp wil greatly slow the rate of growth of the bacteria if it is building.

I would also go to the Health Food store and get some Beta Glucan. Liquid is great but most likely it will be in capsul for.

Get yourself some live brine as well from the LFS.

Take a capsul of beta glucan and mash it up really good. Put it in a container with the brine and aerate it. The brine will eat the beat glucan. You can also use other enrichements in the mix, the seahorse needs some nutrition.

Then try feeding the seahorse the brine. Since it is smaller the horse might be able to eat it.

The beta glucan can take 3 days to show results but it is a strong boost to the immune system of the horses as it stimulates the production of macrophages and immune cells that attack bacteria.

Good Luck. We're here for you. Keep us posted.

 

[gonegofn]

Thanks, I will let you know. We did the antibiotics with the others and it did no good. It sounds like the live brine and additives would be a good idea from time to time either way.

Thanks again!!!

 

[gonegofn]

Well, so far we survived the dip and she was even able to eat some very small pieces of mysis.

 

[pledosophy]

What antibiotics did you use and at what dosage?

Did you combine the treatment with lower temps and immune system stimulants?

Vibrio is a tough case sometimes, which is why you have to be prepared and treat very aggresively.

 

[gonegofn]

So far we have just done the fresh wate dip. He can eat a little better, but nothing close to normal. How long before we should se him back to normal if it was jsut parasites? We did slowly drop the temp to 72.

 

[NanoLurker]

if the weak snick is parasitic in nature it can sometimes take several FW dips or formalin baths. i differ from pledosophy, i dip for 10-12 minutes (assuming there is no adverse reaction). if the problem clears up i would put the horse back in the display tank 5-7 days AFTER they are asymptomatic.