Seahorse Healing?

[rykna]

I am almost finished with the first treatment of formalin. I am not so sure about the healing results however. Valiant is eating fine, but continues to have sudden jerky movements, not often but enough to cause concern. His skin coloration fluctuates constantly from bright gold, black, and shades of gray.
I am not certain if there is any other treatments I should be considering. The white worm parasites and white spots are definately gone, however, from time to time there seems to be small areas of his skin covered in a whitish slime....but I can't be for sure...sometimes it's there other times it's not. His eyes are clear, and he is active and alert...especially at dinner time. The fire goby is still #2 and snatches nibbles after Valiant has first pick of the mysis. I'm going to take some pics and videos in a bit so you can give me some ideas on his state of health.
Thanks,
Rykna

 

[rykna]

bump

 

[darthtang aw]

Give me some pictures, from the description I think I have an idea what it is...however I need a picture to verify

 

[rykna]

Well..here's a video...I'm going to get more pics up.

 

[rykna]

This is it!!! This is the strange jerky actions I was worried about.

 

[darthtang aw]

Continue the formalin treatment....From what I see it looks like he may still have some external parasites. or suffering from the symptoms at least. The skin loss is due to The parasite eroding the skin.....the jerking is just a side effect of the parasite. He must still have some irritation..

 

[rykna]

The treatment directions:
2 drops per gallon every other day, 10 treatments total.
repeat if needed.
There are 3 more treatments left in the first session. Is this a proper treatment duration, or would you recommend daily treatments ?

 

[fishgeek01]

just a thought, ( i know nothing about sea horses and even less about treating them) but is it possible that as a side effect the medication you are using could cause seizures? medicines for humans cause all sorts of benign and serious side effects, some as simple as headache, fever, aching, but others more severe like bleeding, seizures, and even death. is it possible that this may also be the case with the jerking motions?

 

[rykna]

I hear what your saying, well worth noting...but in this case I disagree. I have a seizure disorder, which is controlled by medication. The jerky motions are much more similar to that of an irritation, not that of a seizure. Seizures come on unexpectedly, and depending on the severity multiple times. Also the seizure causes much more violent body movement.

 

[rykna]

Say Darth? Should I consider a formalin dip??

 

[fishgeek01]

it was just a thought, and not to pick at what you are saying either...lol what if the symptoms of the seizure are less similar to that of ours due to the lack of a more fully developed and complex nervous system. it is in my nature to question everything, so i will probably keep trying to help even though i have no knowledge of this subject, again just a thought

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by Fishgeek01
it was just a thought, and not to pick at what you are saying either...lol what if the symptoms of the seizure are less similar to that of ours due to the lack of a more fully developed and complex nervous system. it is in my nature to question everything, so i will probably keep trying to help even though i have no knowledge of this subject, again just a thought
No offense taken. Asking is my prefered choice as well....Formalin is a pretty nasty med.

 

[darthtang aw]

The jerking is a direct result of the parasite...I have sen this and correct me if I am wrong, but was present before treatment started correct.
Formalin dip may be in order, but I am leaning towards a freshwater dip just to limit the number of different medications. If you do the freshwater just make sure the PH and temp are the same as your Tank. a 15-25 second dip should be sufficient. I would do this after feeding to ensure optimum Strength to the seahorse.

 

[rykna]

Yep...the jerky motions were present before I found him on the sand bed.
So I'll do the fresh water dip tonight after feeding him. Just have the PH equal to the tank.
And finish up the last 3 treatments of formalin......
The formalin instructs you to do a second treatment 10 days after you finish the first.
I will finish the second treatment. By then the tank parasites should all be dead. Is there anything else I should watch out for?

 

[flcandy]

Originally Posted by Fishgeek01
it was just a thought, and not to pick at what you are saying either...lol what if the symptoms of the seizure are less similar to that of ours due to the lack of a more fully developed and complex nervous system. it is in my nature to question everything, so i will probably keep trying to help even though i have no knowledge of this subject, again just a thought

Not to poke holes in anything or say I know how to treat this seahorse but I have experience with fish and all kinds of animal seizures and this is not one. Like stated before it is a violent motion and very erratic it looked to me as if he was trying to itch himself but has no hands to scratch with.
If he was seizing he would not pull out of it well and it would take anywhere from 1 to 30 min depending on the type of seizure and the intensity.
I think he is still trying to itch and will be okay with the meds. JMO

 

[rykna]

Yeah...it's hard enough to try and itch your own back with hands!
Other than the infection, does he look healthy?
I'm gonna done the FW dip tonight.

 

[poniegirl]

He does look healthy. Has he grown in length?
When stressed, seahorses will change color, or "dis-color". Changes in seahorse color are not always beautiful bright colors. The fade that is on this seahorse, I have seen with my own. It never preceeded illness, just stress.
I have never done a freshwater dip, myself, but it makes sense that it would have an adverse effect on the parasite. Be sure to match your salt and fresh PH's.

 

[rykna]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
He does look healthy. Has he grown in length?
When stressed, seahorses will change color, or "dis-color". Changes in seahorse color are not always beautiful bright colors. The fade that is on this seahorse, I have seen with my own. It never preceeded illness, just stress.
I have never done a freshwater dip, myself, but it makes sense that it would have an adverse effect on the parasite. Be sure to match your salt and fresh PH's.

Yeah, poor little guy looks like I felt when I had chicken poxs. I'm very happy to hear that he looks healthy. Valiant has grown an inch . He's about 6 mths old now, got him at 3 mths/3.5 inches, he's 4.5 inches now. He'll eat non stop if I give him the chance. I feed him a half cube of mysis in the evening.

 

[poniegirl]

This is a current discussion in SH keeping. Do they HAVE to be fed at least twice per day?
My experience is, yep, they do.
Remember, they do not have a sophisticated digestive system and cannot STORE nutrients. They are like a human fetus. Please feed small amounts often.
They only require a mysis or two at a time. They literally cannot properly digest more that that. But they do need the flow of nutrient.
Does that make sense?

 

[darthtang aw]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
This is a current discussion in SH keeping. Do they HAVE to be fed at least twice per day?
My experience is, yep, they do.
Remember, they do not have a sophisticated digestive system and cannot STORE nutrients. They are like a human fetus. Please feed small amounts often.
They only require a mysis or two at a time. They literally cannot properly digest more that that. But they do need the flow of nutrient.
Does that make sense?

I agree with this for the most part. Of course the amount will change pending seahorse size as well.
There are instances and circumstances that would allow one to only feed once a day.....or not at all for a short length of time. However going into that is contingent on system type, size, and age...amongst livestock and live rock as well. I could list different scenarios for days of different feeding habits but the basic and safest is twice a day, everyday.