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Freshwater Dip

post #1 of 22
8/12/10 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going to try dipping the one seahorse that hasn't been eating and place it in a quarantine tank I just obtained. Links to sites wit information on setting up quarantine tanks and how to properly freshwater dip, would be nice. I've been researching, but would like more information and if there's anything seahorse specific, all the better. Thanks guys
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post #2 of 22
8/12/10 at 4:52pm
Let me google that for you!

The top link in the google search has a post by Pete Giwojna, a pretty smart guy IMO...
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post #3 of 22
8/12/10 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you, I'm reading it now.
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post #4 of 22
8/12/10 at 10:35pm
I've done this once with an ich-infested fish, but never with a seahorse. Good luck!
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post #5 of 22
8/13/10 at 12:23am
Thread Starter 
Thank you. My mom's toilet had some leaking issues, so I couldn't do the dip or set up the quarantine today, but I'll be doing it tomorrow morning. I really hope this clears up the problem. I'm still not 100% sure what's wrong >.< By the way, when you did the dip did you use methylene blue?
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post #6 of 22
8/13/10 at 3:26am
Sorry if I'm not up to date on your issue. Is the problem that the seahorse is trying to eat (snick) at food and can't.... or that it just isn't eating? If it just isn't eating... that doesn't indicate a dip is in order. If it tries, but can't eat...then yes, a dip would be the first step in treatment.
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post #7 of 22
8/13/10 at 3:38am
Thread Starter 
It has also taken up scratching against rocks, which is why I'm doing the dip. I'm hoping the not eating is related and that the dip will fix both *crosses fingers* I wasn't able to figure out the reason why it's not eating for sure though :(
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post #8 of 22
8/13/10 at 3:57am
Thread Starter 
Okay, many places say methylene blue is good, but I can't find amount per gallons or anything. Anyone know about the amount I should use?
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post #9 of 22
8/13/10 at 2:29pm
Methylene blue can be used as a dip by itself and as an additive to a freshwater dip. As a dip on its own, it should never be used for more than 5 to 10 seconds MAX. It is most effective in this manner for fungal infections. Kordon's Methylene blue should be used in a saltwater dip prepared using 3 gallons of saltwater and 5 teaspoons of M.B. This produces a concentration of 50 parts per million. Note that these instructions are ONLY for the Kordon's Methylene Blue, as this is the bottle I have in front of me right now. When the dip is prepared, immerse the seahorse for just 5 to 10 seconds, then transfer him to the QT tank to rest.
Methylene Blue can also be added in small quantities to fresh water, but this is more of an anti-stressing regime than a disease-control tactic. The best article for it can be found here, although I would adjust the amount of M.B. down a little because seahorses may be a little more finicky. Instead of 9 drops per gallon I would do 6 drops, but that's just my opinion. Hope this helps!
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post #10 of 22
8/13/10 at 2:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you, I'm about to head out to get more water, an air stone, and the methylene blue which I was planning on using in freshwater, unless you think I should also try a methylene blue dip. I hadn't read about them before, but they sound good.
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post #11 of 22
8/13/10 at 3:13pm
I really don't think you need to use it as a dip, just a few drops in the freshwater to help breathing.
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post #12 of 22
8/13/10 at 4:08pm
I was reading your other post on the other forum, and have you done the water change they suggested. I have a feeling your problems are with your tank and not just the horse. With your tank being too small for 4 horses, your water quality will be an issue.
I would ask on the other forum about using meth blue before using it. Usually a freshwater dip is for worms, and I am not convinced your horse has them, especially if they are captive bred.
There are some experts on seahorse illnesses on the other site. Read thru some of the threads there also, there is a lot of experiance there.
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post #13 of 22
8/13/10 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 
I've done the water change and rearranged the tank, so some of the corners where food was falling and that were hard for me and the fish to reach are no longer an issue. I was thinking parasites and the other three horses seem okay. It's just the one that's giving me an issue :( I'll ask more on the other forum. Thank you.

Oh also I've read about using computer fans and was wondering how that works. I think I have an extra one around here and for some reason hadn't thought about trying to use it till just now. As a note I haven't done any research on it yet, but will momentarily.
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post #14 of 22
8/13/10 at 9:40pm
The fan is easy, but again - the other site actually has a "how-to" with pictures for using a computer fan. Not that we want you to always go there, but it is true that there are a lot more knowledgeable people when it comes to seahorses on that dedicated forum. In fact, I should start posting there more often.

BTW I have a small iceproble chiller AND a fan over my setup...probably just forgot to mention the fan. It really helps, but you should have more topoff water ready...a fan increases your evaporation quite a bit.
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post #15 of 22
8/13/10 at 9:44pm
Thread Starter 
I'm keeping extra water on hand, so I don't mine. Hopefully I'll be getting more supplies soon. By the way what are your thoughts on my parameters (posted on the other forum)? And how the water change seemed to make them worse
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post #16 of 22
8/13/10 at 9:56pm
I'll go look...I'm so bad, I forgot to look for your thread over there.
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post #17 of 22
8/13/10 at 10:04pm
Thread Starter 
lol no problem. It will be under the same name.
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post #18 of 22
8/17/10 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
The sick seahorse died last night. The rest are fine and eating well.
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post #19 of 22
8/17/10 at 3:01pm
Sorry to hear that, but it does happen. Sometimes you just cant save them. I treated a horse for two months and still lost him.
I would do some major water changes on your main tank in case he had something that can be passed on. being 16 gqal, I would do about 3 to 5 gal every other day for a week or so.
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post #20 of 22
8/17/10 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
They are being moved into the quarantine today, while the other tank is recycled. I don't know if we will bring the other fish into this new tank or bring them to the petstore at this point, but something ate part of the seahorse and I don't know if this happened while alive or dead, or what exactly happened, but with that gouge in it I'm guessing it died from the injury and then was eaten. At the very least it has a nice little coffin for it's burial once my mom gets home from work. By the way why are serpent starfish bad seahorse companions?
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