help
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: EMERGENCY FORUM
Forum Description: If you have an Emergency post here and you should receive a quick reply.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46982
Printed Date: April 29 2024 at 5:23am
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Topic: help
Posted By: Ashley
Subject: help
Date Posted: February 20 2011 at 7:20pm
My seahorses keep scratching there back and curling there tell sideways. i started out with four but one died it was acting very strange it would but its head agienst the side of the tank. it started to curl his tell backwards to the side and every thing. after a 2 days or so it stopped eating. then i would notice it would start to jult back and forth in a shaking motion like it was being shocked or looseing control of its body. The shaking would only last for a couple of seconds but happens often. Then a couple days later i woke up to find out it was dead. I started to cry it was very sad . i still have three left and am starting to worry. please help
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Replies:
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 20 2011 at 7:38pm
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How long have you had them? What are you feeding them? And can you post a picture of the tank? Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 20 2011 at 7:47pm
| I got them on the first. i feed them frozen cyclopeeze twice a day and live brine shrimp twice a week. The tank i have them in is the one i won from reef fest its the marineland 60g. This tank is hooked up to a 5o gallon sump that is a common sump for a 210g and the 60g seahorse tank. The flow is very low in the seahorse tank too. I also noticed they were more active and stayed at the top or middle of the tack. |
Posted By: Tresa
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 8:40am
| What else is in the tank with them.... fish, corals,etc? |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 9:28am
| one watchman goby and some mushrooms. I did notice bristleworns in the tank too. |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 9:56am
 
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Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:14am
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do you know how long the store had them? what are your water parameters? |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:17am
| The store had them for maybe two days. If AD is open today I'm going to have them check but last time I checked the parameters are good. |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 11:01am
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oh no! my seahorses dorsal fin has white dots all over it and doesn't look regular he is also having a hard time grabbing on to stuff. i have been watching him for the last 5 min or so and he cant seem to grip on to anything no matter how hard he trys I think they may have parasites it would explan to scratching itself and one of them ate something off itself. the one that died had crust over its eye it couldn't see. we did a fresh water dip to that one and the crust on its eye was gone. but it still ended up dieing the next day. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 7:58pm
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Since the tank is part of the larger system, we probably ought to see a pic of everything. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 8:19pm
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Posted By: BnK
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 8:29pm
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I got mine from AD also I though it was cuz my tank wasnt ready but mine did the same thing. was doin fine and then had like whit spots on it and just killed over. kinda wierd
------------- Brett and Kristine | Layton, UT | Brett's e-mail: [email protected] | Kristine's e-mail: [email protected] |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:26pm
| ya that's what is happening to mine. Someone ones told me the only place to buy seahorses was seahorse.com because of this. I guess I should have listened. I had bought all my fish from AD and will continue. but just maybe i should try to buy my seahorses some where else but i will continue to buy fish and coral from there. |
Posted By: BnK
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:29pm
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Yea it was the first thing I bought there alive. But heard they were pretty good and had good prices. A few things seemed kinda high priced but I was really pricing fish and coral. Well hope you get healthier ones next time
------------- Brett and Kristine | Layton, UT | Brett's e-mail: [email protected] | Kristine's e-mail: [email protected] |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:31pm
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I heard seahorsesource.com is the only place you should get them? Pam |
Posted By: Jeffs_little_ocean
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:31pm
------------- Life is good....right? |
Ashley wrote:Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:45pm
| Thanks(: and next time I buy seahorses its going to from that website. sad news another seahorse died)); I cant stand to see them in pain or at least that's how they look. I feel like we took them out of their own habitat to keep them as pets and we just end up killing them when they would have been happy and fine in the ocean. life cruel huh |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 10:58pm
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This is really making me second guess whether or not I want to start a seahorse tank. We were going to set one up this week :(. I hate seeing things die as well.. it is heartbreaking. How do the other two look? Pam |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 11:12pm
| They have white stuff on them too. They are eating still. Josh says they will be fine but personally i am not to sure they will make it): all I can do is hope. I wish we would have bought one at first and seen how it did before we added the others. You should start one up if everything goes good then you will fall in love with them. Some of them will hold on to your finger or even eat out of your hand. They are very loving and that's why it is so sad to see them die. |
Posted By: BnK
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 11:20pm
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ohhh I think we went to your house i was checkin out your husbands tank. My wife fell in love with your seahorses that is why I got one for her valentins day present. Yea it sucks they seem real fragile. we just have to much current in my tank I think to try again.
------------- Brett and Kristine | Layton, UT | Brett's e-mail: [email protected] | Kristine's e-mail: [email protected] |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 11:35pm
| haha ya except that is my cousin he is my bestest friend in the whole wide world. we started off with to much flow so we bought a valve that we could turn to lower the flow. I am sorry to hear about your seahorse. It really is a sad thing. I decided that i am not going to give up but be to make sure every thing is good before i do. |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 11:37pm
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Well I'll share my experience with seahorses, I had 4 females and 2 males all doing really really good for 3-4 months, Then I decided I would switch the lighting to LEDs (This was on my red sea max) I had two hoods at the time so it wasn't like I took it off and left them with out light for a few days... so basically I get my led hood all built up ready to go and swap it out, the next day 2 females died, one male got a gas bubble the next day 2 more females and the other male died, the one with a gas bubble lasted about a week longer, I had to flush his gas bubble maybe every other day or so with a bobby pin.... its just crazy to me how sensitive they really are, and a thing like light can stress them out so bad enough to kill them, even though everything else was exactly still the same. ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: BnK
Date Posted: February 21 2011 at 11:53pm
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oh sorry lol didnt know you guys were cousins. But yea that is crazy nick that they are that fragile. think I will stick to more hardy things lol.
------------- Brett and Kristine | Layton, UT | Brett's e-mail: [email protected] | Kristine's e-mail: [email protected] |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 12:00am
| I got black seahorses that are tank raised. I was told that they were the easiest to keep. So maybe it's just my lights? I only have the led lights from marieland |
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 1:13am
| That is one amazing tank. How strong is the flow? have you seen any aggression from other type of fish specially the tangs, toward the sea horse? In my experience the longer the livestock have been in the store the higher the probability they can survive in our aquarium. Every fish that i bought that have been kept on the store less then 2 weeks i have a hard time with them. |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 8:44am
| It's two tanks hocked up to one sump. Seahorses are slow eaters so you cant put them in tanks with others fish. Mark asked for a picture of the other tank because they are hock up together. That's why that picture is there |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 10:55am
for the sake of the earth, thank you.------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: wickedsnowman
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 11:05am
That wasnt a very nice thing to say. Im sure when you were starting out Mark you had things die cause you didnt know exactly how to keep them happy. This hobby is a never ending learning experience. Nobody starts with all the knowledge it takes to keep our salty friends alive. |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 11:20am
I have to agree. I don't think that was necessary to say that. It's a learning experience and everyone does things differently and we all learn from our mistakes. |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 6:22pm
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What species are they? Also from what I have read they need to eat 3-4 times a day. And do best with no fish tank mates(you said there is a blenny in there right?). I am planning to get a pair and I do believe it is Pets N such that is ordering them for me(Pam talked to them) I am hoping to have better luck. The two places that I have heard that are best to get them from is seahorsesource.com and oceanrider.com which I think is saltwater.com it is just a lot more money seems you have to pay shipping and everything. ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 6:45pm
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Also if you haven't already look here: http://forum.seahorse.org/index.php?showforum=63 - http://forum.seahorse.org/index.php?showforum=63 Your pic also looks like they are very thin be sure to check the link on the page I gave you about skinny/underweight ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Chevmaro
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 6:54pm
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I know nothing about sea horses but maybe the white stuff is fungal infection or parasite? http://www.breedersregistry.org/Articles/v3_i1_vincent/shorse_n1.htm - http://www.breedersregistry.org/Articles/v3_i1_vincent/shorse_n1.htm
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Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 7:21pm
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Thanks for all of your help and support. I would encourage all of you to someday get a seahorse tank if you really are devoted. I read pages and pages of webs sites about them. They really are amazing creatures. I am just going to be more prepared and ready before i take on any more seahorses. |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 7:41pm
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Jackie and I (bstuver) are ordering a couple of seahorses so we can have a try at it. I know the ones we ordered at tank raised and I am hoping we can do well with them. As with anything I read a ton on it to make sure I am prepared. The seahorse.org site is AWESOME and is full of info. I think for right now I will just start with one and go from there. I want to dedicate a tank to them. How are your other two doing Ashley? |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 8:02pm
| I would love to come and see your tank once you have it all set up and i am sure you are going to do great at keeping seahorses. Mine are okay there still eating and active i am trying to look on the positive side. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 11:21pm
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I understand the fascination with Seahorses, but it saddens me to see new hobbyists undertaking the complicated care of such a difficult animal. I would put a couple years of reef experience behind me before trying Seahorses. My first Seahorse was retarded or something because it could not catch a bug right in front of it's mouth. I gave it away to my friend Suzy, the "Queen of Seahorses" in Utah. http://www.suzysreef.com - http://www.suzysreef.com I would also check with another Seahorse enthusiast here, Tresa on this MB. She's a paid WMAS member and has a special knack with keeping unique reef organisms. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 22 2011 at 11:30pm
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Suzy is amazing! She is the one that got me started with my rotifers and helping me along the way. She just got new seahorses :). They are beautiful! Pam |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 12:11am
Well I do a lot of reading so even though I have been only keeping a reef for almost a year, I hate hearing people try to tell others that unless they have so much experience in something they shouldn't try it. When I was keeping freshwater I wanted to try discus so bad but because of people saying "oh they are too hard" and "don't try them because you don't have X amount of experience" I was afraid to try them. Finally I bit the bullet and was very successful and even had mine breed. Granted I may fail and I hate to fail but to tell me not to try is really annoying IMO. The seahorses are already brought in and will go to someone, why not someone like myself who is willing to do all they can to make them successful? ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: jcoulter17
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 12:37am
| I was thinking the same thing. Mark if your going to help out help us out. It is what the club is all about, right? We are all here to learn and get more experience. I have had a reef tank now for years.I have never did seahorse before but was told that I shouldn't have a problem keeping black seahorse. I give it a try and sadly it's not working out. |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 1:13am
This makes it sound as if just because they are new in the hobby there are restrictions as to what they should try. I don't know of anybody in this hobby that goes out buying a fish/coral etc with the thought of killing it. I personally have had people who have been in the hobby many years tell me wrong advice. This gal had great intentions and unfortunately she lost two .. I commend her for trying and then having the courage to come here and ask if there was anything she could do to save it. Many people told me I was rushing into things when I expressed interest in raising clownfish. I was told I didn't have " enough time in the hobby". I have been successful. If I didn't try I wouldn't know I could be successful. If a person has passion for something they can succeed. As Jackie stated, they are going to continue to sell seahorses... why not sell them to people who have a passion and desire to be successful! It's the way it's said I think. Just my two cents..Pam |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 9:36am
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I agree. It's not only the time and experience, but a strong desire to be successful that also counts. Unfortunately, the biggest problem with inexperience is that the person does not know that they do not know. No amount of passion can make up for the wisdom that comes with experience. The WMAS was formed to promote education and responsibility in caring for our wet pets. I'm sorry if it offends but I would be remiss in carrying out the WMAS Mission if I did not speak up. I don't keep Seahorses, so I don't have much to say about their care, but I helped by giving the names of two excellent hobbyists that you can contact to correct the misinformation that exists on the www. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 9:44am
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Yea I had actually already contacted Suzy before I even posted but thank you. ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: wickedsnowman
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 10:39am
While I agree that it its your responsibility as a pres member to carry out wmas mission. I thimk there is a certain dialect and tone you should have when doing so. To be offensive and rude it represents wmas poorly. This person came here for help. So if its something you have no experience with then why not let someone chime in that does. If you say rude things all that will do is turn people off to wmas. Then they will be left with getting that misinformation that exists on the www and that my friend goes against wmas's mission. |
Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 12:57pm
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It is friends like you that makes this board awesome. You may not have all the answers but most of you still try to help and show your support and to me thats more then i can ask for. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 1:01pm
Thanks for the feedback. I'd have to say that my biggest problem here is not knowing when I'm being offensive and rude. My wife points this out to me all the time, reminding me that it is a family trait.  I hope you all will forgive me. I'm working on it. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Ashley
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 1:15pm
| I am not one to stay mad or even really get mad at people. I try to look at the positive side it makes life better. I understand you had good intentions and i thank you for that. |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 2:05pm
 Boy Mark I feel your pain  . I know you are a great person with a wealth of knowledge but you (you and I both) have a tendency to be gruff and come across as rude. That may turn people away. I commend you for seeing it ( with a little help from your wife )Pam
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