Seahorse disease help help

rickysreef · Jul 10, 2017

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170710/a293680c4b8b18005bb31f37f78e9ad1.jpg[/IMG
I have nine erectus sea horses. I just noticed this white patchy area on this ones tail. Looks like it even has to holes. They Have been in this tank for 11 mos.

Any ideas

aykwm · Jul 10, 2017

Probably an injury that got infected while it was trying to attach to an object. I would like to hear from experts, but I think a course of antibiotics should take care of it.

Maritimer · Jul 10, 2017

Ouch!

That looks like an abrasion, with maybe some pretty serious bacterial involvement. I don't know seahorses well, I'm afraid, but possibly @Lionfish Lair, @eatbreakfast, @cameronh or other members of the #reefsquad can be of greater assistance for your pony pal.

~Bruce

melypr1985 · Jul 10, 2017

I'm not 100% sure how to treat seahorses with infections. I know you'll need to QT him and asap.

Here's an article to help get you started. I'll call the seahorse experts for you @vlangel @SeahorseKeeper

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/keeping-seahorses-in-aquaria-6-dealing-with-travel-and-sickness.312/

rickysreef · Jul 10, 2017

I'm getting my temp down in quarantine now. It was 78. fans are running on it might take over night to get to 72 (the display tank temp)

4FordFamily · Jul 10, 2017

Above my level of expertise - but good luck! I would think antibiotics would be your best course of action here as well.

Humblefish · Jul 10, 2017

I'm a little weak when it comes to seahorses/pipefish as well. Hopefully one of the others chimes in.

rickysreef · Jul 11, 2017

Got her in quarantine this morning and treated with melafix.

vlangel · Jul 11, 2017

rickysreef said:
Got her in quarantine this morning and treated with melafix.

Hi rickysreef, having her in quarantine is good but melafix is not the best choice for treatment. Furan 2 is usually what most of us seahorse keepers start with, or triple sulfa. Getting the temperature down into the low 70s or high 60s is also good.

Dan from Seahorse Source told me to use a 10 gallon tank with clean salt water. Put 1 packet of Furan 2 in a cup, mix with tank water and pour into the tank. Day 2- Syphon out 50% of the tank water and replace with clean salt water. Mix a second packet of furan 2 and pour into the tank. Do this until the infected area heals and for a minimum of 10-14 days. Do not get anxious to put her in with the others too soon before her wound is healed or it may return and she will not respond to furan 2 because the bacteria will develop a resistance to that antibiotic.

vlangel · Jul 11, 2017

O yeah, I would look for the source of what caused the injury so your other ponies are not effected. Any hitches with sharp points can cause such an injury. Also crabs, heaters or coral that stings can be dangerous.

Lastly, just a caution but 9 seahorses in one tank is a lot unless the tank is 120 gallons or more. If it is less then you need to compensate with extra large weekly water changes to compensate for all that bioload and over the top husbandry to insure that no pockets of bad bacteria are taking root in your tank.