Air in seahorse pouch
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Fish
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about fish.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13726
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Topic: Air in seahorse pouch
Posted By: amorgenegg
Subject: Air in seahorse pouch
Date Posted: August 20 2006 at 9:28pm
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We got back from a two week vacation and found our male seahorse was having problems. Looked at him closer and determined he must have air in his pouch since he floats. I tried to get air out per the instructions on seahorse.org, but have not been able to get it out after 3 different tries. I tried squeezing it out and teasing the pouch opening open, but no luck. I have not tried putting a needle in the pouch yet to get the air out, but I am hoping to not have to do that. I might not be squeezing hard enough, but I it feels like I am squeezing pretty firmly and I don't want to crush him. Any advice from those that have had to do this? Suzy? Bob? Thank you, Andrew ------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Replies:
Posted By: Kevin F
Date Posted: August 21 2006 at 2:40am
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Have you tried using a bobby pin? Seems to work well for most. Honestly
I have never encountered this. Mitchell recommends holding the seahorse
upsidedown during the proceedure. Good Luck. ------------- The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly. Albert Einstein |
Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: August 21 2006 at 10:48am
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I haven't keep seahorses for many years, but I have had to perform this procedure a couple of times. I used to use a tooth pick to gently try and open the pouch opening while applying some slight pressure on the pouch to release the air. If the air pocket returns then I would medicate my seahorse with some antibiotics (I theorized that the bubbles in the pouch were from an infection). WARNING! I am not active in the seahorse community and have not been for many years, so there may be better ways then what I used to do. I now am mostly against any type of medications except in extreme circumstances. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date Posted: August 21 2006 at 11:29am
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Thanks everyone for the help. I have tried the above methods but I haven't tried with a bobby pin yet because my wife doesn't have any. I am going to run to the store later and pick some up to try that. I am trying to avoid medicating also and hope that I can help him out without it. I am hoping that I will be able to get it out the next time because I can see that he gets very frustrated when he tries to swim.
------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 21 2006 at 1:01pm
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Did you get my PM? I have some cool tools...
I would not recommend sticking him with a pin or needle.
I hope he is still eating? ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date Posted: August 21 2006 at 1:12pm
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Hi Suzy, I got your PM, but have been busy with work all day. He is still eating if I hold it in front of his face where he can get to it. Thanks ------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 9:28am
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Thank you for everyone for the help. I was finally, fourth try, able to get the air out of his pouch. Actually there is still a tiny bit in there, but he was getting so stressed and tense that I let him go. He is able to swim again now, and looks much happier, at least after he was back swimming again for a while. I ended up running and getting some boby pins which worked great.
------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 10:25am
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COOL! I'm glad something finally worked. -------------  |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 10:32am
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I'm glad too. I felt bad for the little guy, and my wife really felt bad. She watched as I did it, and she just kept saying things like "poor guy!" because of the discomfort for him taking care of it. I hope it doesn't happen again, but if it does at least I shouldn't have a problem taking care of it next time after experiencing it and not only reading it.
------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 12:05pm
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I have a catheter that would work well for a flush, plus the medication you will need... ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 12:44pm
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Suzy, What type of medication? Would the medication require taking the seahorse out to a hospital tank? I really would rather avoid putting him in a hospital tank if I don't need to. Thanks for your help. ------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 1:18pm
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I just let it dwell in their belly, then put them back in the tank. Is he still eating? ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 1:27pm
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He is still eating.
------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 1:50pm
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Good! I work in the Holladay area, so if you need something, let me know? ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Bob Kripfgans
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 6:19pm
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Wow....I've been off the board for a few. Glad you were able to help him. If I ever have the problem I'll call you. Great job! ------------- WMAS is da place! Save the Banggai's! Tooele,Ut. |
Posted By: Kevin F
Date Posted: August 27 2006 at 10:49am
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Glad things turned out well for you. If the problem is reoccuring then we need to look at the way your system is setup. Some systems can contain potential triggers for the disease, especially with seahorses that are prone to it. IMO the appropriate medication would be Diamox. I would order it now because it takes awhile to get here. You are not able to purchase it in the states without a prescription so you will have to order online. Great news that all is well. ------------- The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly. Albert Einstein |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 27 2006 at 12:05pm
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He already has it. ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date Posted: August 27 2006 at 3:14pm
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Suzy thanks for the help. I medicated him today, and will wait and see how he does. He is still eating great, and acting normal (other than for a short time after I have had to get air out and put medicine in his pouch). ------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: August 27 2006 at 3:21pm
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They always pout for a bit, but he will get over it! ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |
Posted By: Kevin F
Date Posted: August 27 2006 at 11:20pm
Nice work Suzy  You get a  Seahorses are drama queens, he'll be fine just keep a close eye. ------------- The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly. Albert Einstein |
Suzy wrote: