seahorse emergency!!!

picoseahorses2

picoseahorses2

Member
My seahorse doesn't seem to be able to catch the food even when there is no flow. It tries to go after it but misses every time. I am feeding it frozen mysis. It has been eating this for three months with no problem. I have it in a 29 gallon tank with a banggai cardinal. My seahorse has not been eating for three days. The cardinal is fine. I recently added caulerpa plant to the tank. Does anyone know what's wrong??
 
reefnutpa

reefnutpa

Member
I'll try to help.... need a few answers first though. Does it appear the seahorse just doesn't have enough "suction" to eat the shrimp and seems like it can't "snick" the food? Or is the problem the seahorse just can't see the shrimp to eat?
Second question...what is your tank temperature and water parameters?
Sounds to me like 'weak snick'. Can be caused by a bacterial infection from high temps or ciliates/protozoans. Check the very tip of the snout for inflamation and/or discoloration. If there is any, report that as well as the answers to the above questions.
Tom
 
picoseahorses2

picoseahorses2

Member
It seems like the sea horse doesn't have the suction. It did eat one or two pieces today, but not any for the few days prior. Will check the other questions and get back to you. thanks
 
reefnutpa

reefnutpa

Member
Originally Posted by picoseahorses2
http:///forum/post/3028034
It seems like the sea horse doesn't have the suction.
Sounds like classic symptom of "weak snick". Usually ciliates and/or parasites in the snout are to blame. A secondary bacterial infection can occur, but if caught early enough the condition doesn't advance that far.
Initial treatment would be a FW dip of the seahorse to see if that gives any relief. Repeated treatments may be necessary as well as Formalin dips.
Awaiting other answers..... specifically tank temps as warm temps (above 74F) can complicate the issue.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
You really need to get that temp down below 74 degrees. get a clip on fan and float some bags of ice cubes. Dont go too fast, but it needs to come down.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Have you done this yet?? Have you been able to get the temps down any.
Do you have a qt tank in case you need it??
Initial treatment would be a FW dip of the seahorse to see if that gives any relief. Repeated treatments may be necessary as well as Formalin dips.
Do you know how to do a Fresh water dip? ( FW dip is in order. To do this, place the seahorse in a container with RO water that is well aerated, temp and ph matched to the tank with a hitching post. Leave the horse in for a minimum of 8 minutes. If the horse becomes agitated, then this is a sign of a parasite load and leave the horse in longer, for up to 15 minutes. If the horse just seems to hang out and doesn't mind the dip at all, there probably isn't a parasite load.)
T
 
picoseahorses2

picoseahorses2

Member
ok ill try and let you know, ya ive done this on her when i first bought her b4 i put her in quarentine thanx 4 all ur help with this
 
reefnutpa

reefnutpa

Member
Way to go, Teresa!

As Teresa mentioned, you must get that temp down and keep it down. Perfect instructions for a FW dip as well. Sorry I couldn't get online sooner :(
Tom
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Thanks Tom, but I copied that from one of Dans posts. I did take the time to look it up, I didnt want to give the wrong info on how to do the dip.
T
 
picoseahorses2

picoseahorses2

Member
i did the dip last night, and it went succesfully ( well hes not any worse lol) but b4 i put him in the dip i noticed that there were some of these really small white little wom like things on his body. i thought that they were just his coloration like spots or something like they are really small, but then i saw one moving. after the dip most are gone but there are like 3 left so i may have to do another. didnt feed yet so ill let u know how that goes.
2 questions
1- when should i do another dip???
2- ive been trying to get the temp down and have been placing frozen waterbottles into the tank, but they melt completely within 2 hours? the temp has gone down about 4 to 5 degrees but does anyone have and easier way beside and expensive cooler to keep down the temps?????would a fan help at all and if so do they make aquarium fans???
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
Hi, Not sure about how soon to do another dip, hope tom come on tonight.
Yes they make fans for aquariums, but most are pretty small. What is your setup again. Do you have a sump.
I use a clip on fan from walmart, and am buying fans for my canopy
TeresaQ
 
picoseahorses2

picoseahorses2

Member
its a 29 not very big but nice

but are those fans effective at all? if so has it made a major difference in ur tank and do u think that i should keep adding the ice??? and do u have a pic of ur fan??? just to get an ide of what im lookin 4
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
the bottom link is the one I have from walmart made by climate control
The black one is nice, but have never seen them they are on line at that marine place
The third is also a clip on by Sunlight Supply Air King 6 inch Clip on Fan
T


 
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