Seahorse sick - stomach bubbles - anyone seen this before?

[juliag]

Hello all,

I have had two seahorses for at least a couple of months in their own tank with some live rock and seaweed.

About a month ago I noticed one of the seahorses had a small bubble on the tummy - looked like he had cut himself somewhere, and an air bubble formed. Since he was eating ok, and hadn't changed his behavior, I thought I would watch to see if he got better.

He didn't. He got worse. I'm posting some pictures below.

I haven't been able to find anything like this on the web - has anyone seen this before?

He is eating well, and the other seahorse seems well.

Any help would be most appreciated! I really don't know what to do..

Thank you!

Julia

 

[MrsHavoc]

Looks like a pouch issue. Not an air bubble.

 

[rayjay]

I agree, it looks like pouch prolapse.
I've only experienced it once in eleven years, and was unsuccessful in my attempts to put it back in place with a rubber tipped bobby pin.
It went on to live another 3 yrs like that so with the first years already behind it, they still live a normal lifespan.
Obviously he never had fry after that.

 

[juliag]

Thank you both! A relief that he will live a normal life.

 

[DanU]

A prolapsed pouch will usually be almost like a flap. Normally it isn't an issue other than appearance. Some still do go on to get pregnant which will pull the flap back inside. I have see some males who have this occasionally between pregnancies.

This one, at least from the pictures I see, looks like it may have air inside the tissues. More like a bubble. If this is the case, then it is more complicated than a simple prolapsed pouch.

Dan

 

[juliag]

Thanks Dan.
It does look kind of bubbly to me too,but as I understood there is nothing I can really do about it without possibility of killing it. So I just watch it and hope it will not get worse. So fare it eating well and it seams not worrying him

 

[timinnl]

Hi Julia,

How are they doing?

Kind Regards,

Tim

 

[juliag]

Thanks Tim for asking.
They are ok eating well swimming well.
What more could I ask for.
But this thing is still there and seames not worrying him at all.
So I just look at rehousing them and hope for the best
Julia

 

[timinnl]

Thanks Tim for asking.
They are ok eating well swimming well.
What more could I ask for.
But this thing is still there and seames not worrying him at all.
So I just look at rehousing them and hope for the best
Julia

Hi Julia,

What size tank/brand are you going to go with? How was the info I gave you?

Kind Regards,

Tim

 

[juliag]

Thank you again infrmation from you was very very helpful . As you suggested I will look for 100-120 L aquarium for them but did not think about wich and what yet. Just want to see what is there.

 

[timinnl]

Thank you again infrmation from you was very very helpful . As you suggested I will look for 100-120 L aquarium for them but did not think about wich and what yet. Just want to see what is there.

Hi Julia,

Tell me if it gets to be a bit much? Look for an open design like the Juwel tanks or something with a sump if possible?

Kind Regards,

Tim