Seahorse help

Zoaeasy · Apr 4, 2018

I noticed that my one Seahorse has stopped eating and appears very sluggish for the past two days.
The only thing different so noticed is a red spot on the side of the face.
Current Paramaters:
Temp 73
Salinity has been running a bit higher since last water change 1 week ago at 1029 and I’m slowly lowering it
Ammonia 0

No other tank mates apart from Seahorses
Gorgonia and Kenya tree.

Greybeard · Apr 4, 2018

Almost looks like it got burned or something... Is there a heater in the display tank?

I kept horses many years ago... if one wasn't eating, I'd always try live foods, ASAP.

Not to discount the helpful people at this forum... there are many good folks around here, but you might try Seahorse.org.

Zoaeasy · Apr 4, 2018

Greybeard said:
Almost looks like it got burned or something... Is there a heater in the display tank?

I kept horses many years ago... if one wasn't eating, I'd always try live foods, ASAP.

Not to discount the helpful people at this forum... there are many good folks around here, but you might try Seahorse.org.

Thanks for the reply. No heater in the tank but guess she could have been injured on a rock. Had her for almost two years now and usually eats Mysis ( frozen) but will get some brine going tonight.

Greybeard · Apr 4, 2018

If there's a decent marine aquarium shop in your area, a bag of cultured Tisbe copepods or something similar might be a good idea.

Humblefish · Apr 4, 2018

@SeahorseKeeper @vlangel

vlangel · Apr 4, 2018

I would try to entice her with live small ghost shrimp or amphipods. I would also move her into a HT and treat with furan 2 or triple sulfa. Her skin appears to have eroded and that can be life threatening.

ncaldwell · Apr 4, 2018

How old was it when you got it? 2 years is getting up there in age I thought.

vlangel · Apr 5, 2018

Actually 5 years old is what a captive bred seahorse's lifespan ought to be. I still have one of my first seahorses and she is 4 years.

Zoaeasy · Apr 5, 2018

Thanks everyone for the input.
I have been treating with Triple Sulfa and Kanaplex since Monday. She has perked up a bit and looks more alive. But with Seahorses you never know!
Unfortunately I do not have easy access to Ghost shrimp but will try to get some pods this evening.
Not sure how old she is. We got her as a 1.5" youngster more then 2 years ago so she is probably getting up there in years.