What cause Tail Rot

[cindyoc]

Seeings how I have had my horses get tail rot, was there something I might have done to cause this? I am new to the seahorse hobby, and hate to learn by killing off my horses. It's a new tank, just 7 weeks old. Once it was cycled, the horses have been in the tank for at least 4 weeks. This was a gift, and the LFS told my husband beginning of Dec that he could have the tank set up, cycled and stocked by Christmas. But, my husband being a novice, thought that was good advice. I understand it was set up using the LFS existing water and LR. I am questioning this approach, and if I could do it all over, I would have not set up this tank like this, nor added seahorses so quickly. However, they were spry and active for the first couple weeks, but went downhill after that.

We have been keeping close watch on water parameters and doing water changes, etc. Everything at this time is within normal ranges. It's a 50 Gallon cube. Temp is 74.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

Typiclly a bacterial infection. Probably had it before you got them if no other fish have been in the tank.

Quarantine and treatment is required.

edit, I reread, noticed you used water from the LFS, chances are you introduced it with this water, or the fish picked it up at the store.

 

[rayjay]

Yes, the seahorse may already have had it.
Normally if you have had the seahorses for a while before it develops, it would indicate housekeeping protocols are insufficient and allowing bacteria like vibrios and others to increase enough to affect the seahorse.

 

[DanU]

Tail rot is almost always preceded by stress. It can happen quickly or it can take some time. Caught early and treated properly, prognosis is pretty good. Without speedy treatment it can go from a local infection to a systemic infection in which the prognosis can become poor. When recognized, not only do you want to treat immediately, you want to separate infected individuals to help prevent spreading. Other horses in the tank need to be watch closely for signs as well.

Dan