should I be worried?

[buffalobunch]

I got some new mysis shrimp called piscine energetics. I fed it to my seahorses on Sunday morning. Since then, my male hasn't eaten anything. He is due to have babies again on Saturday and I'm quite worried about him not eating. Belly is huge just like it always is. There is a fuge hooked into the main system and last night I plucked some pods out to put in the main tank. Should I be worried that he hasn't eaten? Is it possible he has gbd and needs the air let out of his pouch? I'm worried sick about him. Any suggestions?

 

[ReefNutPA]

It is normal for a male seahorse who is due to give birth to become reclusive and/or have a decreased appetite. Personally, I would NOT touch the pouch AT ALL if he is pregnant and expecting.

What makes you think he had GBD? Are there bubbles/blisters on his body?

PE Mysis is very different from a lot of other mysis.... larger and whole shrimp. It's possible the change of food has the seahorse a bit leary about eating. I personally would switch back to the old food and slowly introduce PE Mysis to their diet.

My seahorses eat solely PE Mysis. When I try to use Hikari, SF Bay, or other brands they refuse to eat. The same could be happening to you - they want their old food back.

Tom

 

[buffalobunch]

I tried to give him the old food which was SF Bay. Still doesn't want that either. The not eating is what I thought might be the gbd. Nothing else is different except for his appetite. He has had 6 broods and all other times he has never not eaten. Maybe I am just overly worried. I will fish more pods out of the fuge today to make sure there is more live food in there for him.

 

[seacraze]

The first time I experienced that I was a wreck, it was the horses 3rd time delivering so I didn't expect it at all. Within a couple days he became social and began to eat again.

Over time i have learned that our expecting males are just not reliable eaters ... sometimes they eat like carnivores other times they seem to be in a coma at meal time. I have also noticed temperature seems to play a role as well. Hope this helps

 

[buffalobunch]

Well, he finally ate this morning. Thank goodness because I hardly slept last night I was so worried. Silly, I know. I am just so in love with my horses I would have been crushed if something happened to them. Thanks for the support!!

 

[seacraze]

Diddo - its very difficult not to get attached to them! I am so glad he ate. I remember how relieved I was too!

 

[buffalobunch]

Thanks seacraze!! I slept so good last night after he ate his supper