preggo ???????

[teresaq]

I have a male Erectus that I am pretty sure is preggo. He has always been the lazy horse, and only snick the shrimp that floats past him. Once and a while i will see him swim for them if he really has to. The female is all over the tank snicking shrimp.
Today, he is hiding in the corner on some macro, and is only snicking what drops right in front on him. Is this normal for a preggo male.
TeresaQ

 

[reefnutpa]

They are definitely less social to a point when pregnant.... and usually within a day or two or three of giving birth they tend to hide or stay hitched and may not eat for a day or two. Just some casual observations on my part (and others have had similar experiences).
Tom
p.s. It's quite possible the first time or two a male accepts eggs that very few actually made it in the pouch. I've had MANY males that never REALLY looked pregnant, but a dozen or so babies appeared in the tank. On the other hand, my largest male Erectus gets so huge at times when pregnant that I swear he will split in half one day.

 

[sueandherzoo]

While we're on the topic, what's the normal frequency of egg exchange/pregnancy in a mated pair? I have read several times that once a male has a brood that you will pretty much see more every 2-3 weeks. It's been about 4 weeks since my last batch and I'm not even sure my male is preggo. I guess all I'm really worried about is whether or not him not having more since the last time is an indication that he or she is ill or unhappy with their surroundings, or do they have to be "in the mood" and not necessarily do it like clockwork twice a month?
Sue

 

[reefnutpa]

My 2 1/2 year olds are in a display tank at the pet store I manage. They have lots of dropped eggs, but only give me fry a couple times a year. Most likely this is due to the great amount of activity around them and the fact customers are constantly up against the tank staring at them. It's gotta be a bit stressful, therefore, not too many successful transfers.
As for their young which I have in tanks here at home, the oldest are about 10 months or so and I've alredy gotten 4 broods of fry from them.
Some people are lucky that every 3 weeks or so like clockwork their pairs have a brood. Then again, knowing how much time/effort is involved, perhaps they aren't that lucky

If the pairs are stress-free, comfortable in their homes, getting adequate food, you've done all you can do. The rest is up to them. Other things can play a part, such as light cycle, temperature, tankmates, etc. (Fish tankmates can stop them from breeding, whether those tankmates are docile or not).
Tom

 

[sueandherzoo]

Thanks, Tom.... I just wanted to make sure that them NOT giving me a brood every three weeks was not a sign of illness since I have read that once they start it continues like with rabbits. The water parameters are good and they eat well so I will just relax and let nature take its course.
Sue

 

[reefnutpa]

With dwarfs, most of us that have had them 3 or 4 years notice after the first year or so breeding practically ceases. Most likely due to dietary issues. Not that they aren't healthy, but rather the foods we are feeding - whether enriched or not - just aren't enough to get them/keep them in optimum breeding conditions.
As far as the larger seahorses, many hobbyists report one or two of their males having broods like clockwork every 2 or 3 weeks. Some can even pinpoint it down to the exact day they will give birth based on all the previous broods.
Why some can report situations like that, and others (such as myself) can't...isn't something I can explain really. Quite honestly, right now I have 3 broods of fry all at different ages. 10-11 months, 4 months or so I think and a couple weeks old.
I can tell you honestly, there is no way I would wish for, nor would I want, broods every 3 weeks. Too many tanks, too much time, too many different foods.... ACK!!!! I'd go more insane than I already am with the limited time I have. Not to mention the reef tanks, frogfish tank and other animals I have to care for as well. I'm definitely maxed out at the moment

Tom

 

[teresaq]

Tom, I do have another question. The tank I will be rearing fry in is the same tank I used to qt the adults. Right now it have macros and a few zoo frags in it. I am taking out everything and adding a sponge filter. It is just full of pods.
Would it be better for the fry if I were to completly tear it down and sterilize it, or just take out everything and clean it really well with a couple of good water changes???
TeresaQ

 

[teresaq]

bump for anyone

 

[sueandherzoo]

Originally Posted by ReefNutPA
http:///forum/post/2947418
I can tell you honestly, there is no way I would wish for, nor would I want, broods every 3 weeks. Too many tanks, too much time, too many different foods.... ACK!!!! I'd go more insane than I already am with the limited time I have. Not to mention the reef tanks, frogfish tank and other animals I have to care for as well. I'm definitely maxed out at the moment. Tom
I totally agree with you - I've actuallly spent the past couple of weeks begging the horses to NOT give me a brood until I was ready for them so I guess they're obedient and well behaved.

I'm still not really eager for them to have any just yet but at least a tank is running and ready if they do. I would definitely be in a tough spot if mine were producing every few weeks - I would intellectually want to let them perish and not try to raise every batch but I'm not sure if I could emotionally go through with that.
I realize most of my stress and "chores" are self-inflicted but I wouldn't have it any other way. Heck - we could have a lot worse obsession than animals!
Sue

 

[teresaq]

Tom, I do have another question. The tank I will be rearing fry in is the same tank I used to qt the adults. Right now it have macros and a few zoo frags in it. I am taking out everything and adding a sponge filter. It is just full of pods.
Would it be better for the fry if I were to completly tear it down and sterilize it, or just take out everything and clean it really well with a couple of good water changes???
TeresaQ

 

[reefnutpa]

The problem with using the tank "as is" would be any hidden hydroids in the tank. Just as they would with dwarf seahorses, their sting would kill the fry. Even if you don't see hydroids, doesn't mean they aren't hidden somewhere unfortunately. It only takes one or two hidden in a rock or on a piece of algae to have a population explosion once you start feeding the tank bbs. Also, copepods would be ok.... but amphipods would not be IMO.
Personally, I would use a sterile tank. However, I REALLY hate ripping down cycled tanks. Perhaps you have room for a 10 or 15 gal fry tank somewhere? That way you can keep the other still running. Just a thought.....
Tom

 

[sueandherzoo]

Originally Posted by ReefNutPA
http:///forum/post/2948575
Personally, I would use a sterile tank. However, I REALLY hate ripping down cycled tanks. Perhaps you have room for a 10 or 15 gal fry tank somewhere? That way you can keep the other still running. Just a thought.....
Tom
Sure Tom -- go ahead feed the already too addicting addiction! What's one MORE tank!?!?!?

 

[teresaq]

I think hubby would kill me if I added another tank hehehe. I think I will just suck out as many pods as I can, add them to the main tank and start this one over. There are some amp pods in there.
T
here is my poor boy

This is from a few weeks ago
does he look differant to you

 

[sueandherzoo]

I'm by no means an expert at determining a male's pregnancy but I would think the pouch area would be bigger and fuller rather than the "belly" area. But what do I know? I was totally floored when my male had a brood and I can't tell for the life of me if he's got another one in there brewing or not. One time I'll look at him and be convinced he's carrying and 12 hours later I'll think he looks perfectly normal.

Sue