Sad day here :o(

[shaunalynna]

Sadly we are about to loose our male seahorse. I woke up today to him on the bottom of my tank and my female holding him that was the sadest part of all to see! I have no QT tank yet so I can't take him out and he is slowly dying. He is weak, wouldn't touch food today at the feeding and his head is turning yellow in a few places that he had black pigment as he was solid black since purchase Last night he was fine swimming around with her and everything! I don't know what to do but it breaks my heart to know she is about to loose her mate and I can't do anything to help or even afford to get her another friend right now. Like I said the worst scene of it all is when I see her sitting there holding him, that breaks my heart I wish by some chance something could happen and he would pull out of it.

[Gilghamesh]

Wish I could offer advice but I know nothing about Sea Horses. I will however offer my condolences. It's amazing how these creatures become like family to us.

My wife and I will keep your animals in our prayers.

Good luck

Gil

[icebear]

they are such sweet little critters, its sad to see one go...

[Loverotties]

Do a water change.What are your water perimeters?

[shaunalynna]

Water perimeters are fine that was the first thing I checked when I noticed him. Everything is at normal ranges no spikes nothing! I changed a little less then half the water after you suggested this and nothing new to report sadly. I will be doing a good water change for sure once he passes to clear the water of illness. It's sad to sit here and watch not knowing what is going on and being unable to help him. I have spent a good amount of today searching illness and not a thing turned up. He was recently checked on as well and still hanging in there. I just hate seeing him suffer and not being able to fo a thing though. He now has white stuff hanging out of his pouch area and the patches on his head more yellow now. I wish there was something that could be done to ease the pain and suffering he may be in.

[YLChik]

Shauna -
did you deworm them when you got them?
What breed are they?

What ARE your parameters... it helps us in helping you - fine isn't really quatitiative. What tests are you using and what are you testing for.

If you could list the following
tank temp
Specific gravity
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate

what are you feeding, how and how often?

and horses do change color so that isn't that strange....

are the floating? do you see any bubbbles on them or "in" them

what meds do you have on hand?

[shaunalynna]

Originally Posted by YLChik

Shauna -
did you deworm them when you got them? No, Not sure what to even do there, what to use or how much to dose.

What breed are they? Uknown still, think there Kuda's by the research and picture display's I have found.

What ARE your parameters... it helps us in helping you - fine isn't really quatitiative. What tests are you using and what are you testing for. 4 in one test..Checks Nitrate, Nitrite, Alkalinity and PH

If you could list the following
tank temp approx 75
Specific gravity 1.0224
ammonia 0
nitrite Safe
nitrate Okay

what are you feeding, how and how often? Mysis Shrimp, 2x a day 6x a week.

and horses do change color so that isn't that strange....

are the floating? do you see any bubbbles on them or "in" them No floating..He is on the bottom, standing up straight kind of slouched though. I see no bubbles on my healthy one or sick one inside or out.

what meds do you have on hand? I have no meds on hand as I never expected to have anything bad happen but should have been prepared!

[Loverotties]

Those 4 in one test are not accurate.You need to get a good test kits!At least take a sample to the LFS!

[shaunalynna]

We sadly lost him this evening around 8:00. I checked on him while waiting for dinner to finish and found he had passed It was a sad find but I am glad he is no longer in pain. Thankfully my other horse has my watchmen gobie to keep her company but it won't be the same without the other horse!

[aquawolf]

Very sorry to hear about your loss.

[YLChik]

I am very sorry to hear about your losses. It is heart breaking to lose any pet - and I know how those ponies can cling to our hearts.

Thing is we still need to find out what's up so you don't lose your lassie too.

My best suggestion to you is to post in the emergency forum over at seahorse.org

other things you can do in the meantime....

You need to lower your tank temp to 72-73 it will slow down whatever is in the tank/horses.

I would also raise your SG SLOWLY to 1.025

I would continue with aggressive water changes - 20% of your total volume once a week.

find some test kits that give you numbers and not ranges... those all in one are ok for a quick reading. but they really don't help in solving issues in our delicate systems. ( I speak from experience )

[shaunalynna]

what test kits would you suggest? I am ahead of you with the water changes and bringing temps down. I started that last night after we lost him. I am in process of getting a membership at the seahorses site so you'll see me soon.

[Loverotties]

So sorry for your loss!

[aquawolf]

I would go with API test kits. They are accurate enough for our needs, easy to tell the difference between the colors, and affordable as well.

[Gilghamesh]

So sorry to hear about your loss. Best of luck to you in the future.

Gil