Dead Seahorse

[relli]

I purchased a seahorse (sorry, not sure what kind) a few months ago. He was the only one I have ever bought, and the only thing I was really told to watch out for was to make sure he eats. That was the same advice I had gotten from specific seahorse books and info too. He did really well for about 4 months, he was eating, got along well with other fish, everyone seemed happy. Then one morning I notice that some of his scales (not sure if that's really what they are) were missing from the back of his neck ( big bare patch - looked almost like he rubbed them of). Later that day, he was missing all of the scales from his back, tail included. The next morning my seahorse was entirely

[hr]
, white, no scales, just some scales on his face, and he was dead. I have no idea what could have caused this. The fish in the tank weren't bothering him, our levels were fine. The only thing I can think of is we introduced a piece of uncured rock into the tank and maybe there was a parasite on the rock I couln't see that killed him. The rock was brought in about a month before he died. I'm at a loss. I would really like to get another one, but I'm a bit nervous now. Does anyone have anyidea as to what killed my seahorse?
Thanks...Relli

 

[joec21]

every time i've read up on seahorse's it's always said that they can only be kept with there own kind.

 

[lovethesea]

sorry for your loss......but they are very difficult/fragile creatures.
We breifly entertained the idea, but did a huge research on them and decided against it. Do a search on user "sheree" on this board. She sounds like she's got it down and has even had a few losses of her own. BUT she will show in her posts what she does. She has some great pics too of the babies the MALES have had....I just love that part

 

[jp0379]

We had a seahorse for a couple of years, and it got along with all the other fish, but NONE of them were aggresive. I don't remember all the fish we had (it was many years ago in a 125 gallon tank), but I do remember some were a mandarin goby, yellow tang, and a couple of damsels that were docile.
I have no idea what caused it for sure, but stress is a good place to start. Were any of the other fish bothering him at all? How about the last time you checked the levels of the water?
Sorry you lost it! They do get along with other fish in the tank as long as the other fish don't bother 'em, but as stated above, they REALLY take a lot of patience and attention.

 

[threex]

Damn, 4 months!, mine lasted aout 5 days...Ill never buy another one again heheheh

 

[killafins]

I am very sorry for a loss... seahorses are awesome creatures and are a sure hard thing to keep. go to seahorse.org and do a search on diseases... they have some pictures of what the seahorse looks like while affected, maybe this can give u a better idea. Personally, I'm stumped... srry mate