ScottSeaTattoo Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I have an erectus seahorse that is swiming upside down. He is still eating and is active, just upside down. Any ideas as to what is causing this? Thanks in advance Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Is his pouch swollen? Does his whole body look swollen? My seahorses will swim upside down for fun but can right themselves. I'm sure you mean yours is stuck upside down, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottSeaTattoo Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 His pouch does look bigger. But yes he is stuck upside down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Ours is doing the same thing. I noticed the what appeared to be air bubbles on its tail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 See if you are able to gently squeeze his pouch and get any air bubbles out. Hold him gently in one hand and let him hitch onto your pinky finger. Then with the other hand try to get the air out (if there is any). Sometimes males get pouch emphysema where the pouch fills up with air messing up the buoyancy. In the meantime read up on gas bubble disease and see if the symptoms match. I have the meds to treat if you need them. I hope your seahorse is feeling better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottSeaTattoo Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 I will try when I get home today. Seems weird that only 1 out of the 4 ponies would be affected if it was GBD. Thanks for the info Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 That's how GBD seems to be. I've only ever had one seahorse get it and the others went on to live years and still no sign of it again. The seahorse that had it lived quite a long time after getting it and I just had to treat him every so often. It's weird. He was the one always pregnant so his body was probably worn out compared to my others. Who knows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottSeaTattoo Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 What did you treat with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 What did you treat with? We noticed it last not. Not sure if it's bubbles or possible blisters from the bristle worms. But she's gone from vibrant yellow to black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 What did you treat with? I treated the pouch emphysema with a Diamox flush. There are different meds depending on exactly what's going on with the seahorse. How's yours doing? Did you try to see if there's any air in the pouch? Do you have any females in the tank with him? We noticed it last not. Not sure if it's bubbles or possible blisters from the bristle worms. But she's gone from vibrant yellow to black. Have you noticed blisters from bristle worms? Yikes, I didn't realize that could happen! I've only heard of air bubbles right under the skin that look like blisters. Usually another form of GBD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottSeaTattoo Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 He seems to have righted himself. He was hiding yesterday so I didnt get a chanch to sqeeze him. I decided it was better not to stress him by hunting him down. The tank houses 2 males and 2 females and this guy is the dominate male of the two. The two male started off not getting along and I thought I might have to seperate them but things have calmed down and the two pairs seem to be good with each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I hate to hijack the thread. KimP what meds are you using. We massaged the air bubbles out of her tail but noticed this morning an open wound where the bubble used to be. Poor girl first a bubble above her eye now on her tail. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 How did you massage air from her tail? It sounds like you are dealing with a possible bacterial infection now, so the treatment is a bit different. Do you have a hospital tank you can set up asap? You want to lower the salinity a bit and try to keep the temp as close to 68 degrees as possible in the ht. Here's the link to the treatment sticky on seahorse.org, and if you post in the emergency section there, they have the equivalent of a seahorse ER doc that will walk you through everything. I have all the meds if you need anything. It is a pain for a week or two but these guys are way hardier than you'd think and can live through a lot. It's totally worth treating! Lmk if I can help at all, esp if you don't want to post at seahorse.org. http://forum.seahorse.org/index.php?showtopic=42497 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottSeaTattoo Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 Thanks Kim No offense taken on the hijack hope everyone gets better. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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