Fin Trouble ID Please!

seanothon · 03/16/2012, 09:04 AM

The SH has been in QT since Tuesday when I got it. I just noticed this yesterday, not for certain if it was there earlier but I have been watching it so I think I would have seen it. Not sure what it is. Doesn't look quite like ich but I could not say for sure. The SH, otherwise, is fine. swimming around and eating fine.

novahobbies · 03/16/2012, 11:16 AM

Hmm...very hard to tell with those pics. I'd try for some better photos, and otherwise just watch to see if it gets worse. Horses don't USUALLy get ich, but it can be possible. I'd worry about a necrosis issue more than ich.

seanothon · 03/16/2012, 12:31 PM

I'll try to get some better pics but I don't know if I'll get any. necrosis? I'm unfamiliar with this. The fin appears to have some white spots on it but it also appears milky in some parts, not like it was salted like ich. The spots appear to be on the fins edges are seem larger than ich would be

charleneatkins · 03/16/2012, 01:05 PM

what temp was it at and now. You could get artemiss and treat the tank. It does not hurt the biology of the tank.

seanothon · 03/16/2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleneatkins

what temp was it at and now. You could get artemiss and treat the tank. It does not hurt the biology of the tank.

It was about 75 when I put it in, I overcompensated over that first night and it went to about 78 then I took it back down and it has been around 72-74 since. I'll look into artemiss.

seanothon · 03/16/2012, 02:07 PM

I found some maracyn and maracyn 2 I had for a previous issue. Would using these be advisable?

rayjay · 03/16/2012, 06:20 PM

Only if it's a bacteria problem. I can't tell from the description or the pictures.

novahobbies · 03/16/2012, 09:18 PM

You say it's in QT, yes? What is your water chemistry like? Ammonia, 'trites, 'trates, and pH readings?

It's a good sign that she's eating. It's still very tough to tell from those shots...can you get some better ones? From your description, I don't think it's ich, but I can't give you any firm answers..just some best guesses. Tissue necrosis is a generalized term for any bacterial infection that causes tissue death and erosion. For example, snout and tail rot are types of necrosis usually caused by Vibrio infections.

Is she (it is a she, yes?) using the fin regularly, or is she keeping it clamped down against her body a lot? Fin rot is a known condition in seahorses, and from your description sounds like an issue she might have. Fin rot is considered a little less threatening than other necroses for our horses, but still something that needs to be taken seriously. Fin rot can be cause by a number of different bacteria that lie semi-dormant both in the tank and on the horse. These bugs typically start to get out of control when the animal is stressed (a move to a new home, for instance!) and when water quality is poor....which brings me back to my earlier question about the Big 4 for your water chemistry.

If your parameters are out of whack, I'd recommend at least a 50% water change. Even if they're in line, I'd still do at least a 25% water change every couple days. Lower the water temp to 70 if you can by putting a fan over the top if you don't have a chiller...this will slow the bacterial growth and give her time to let her natural defenses take over. And by all means, WATCH that fin. If it's getting worse, you may need to use an antibiotic, but I wouldn't do that just yet....remember, I'm going off of some guess work here from your description and could be DEAD wrong.

seanothon · 03/17/2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novahobbies

You say it's in QT, yes? What is your water chemistry like? Ammonia, 'trites, 'trates, and pH readings?

It's a good sign that she's eating. It's still very tough to tell from those shots...can you get some better ones? From your description, I don't think it's ich, but I can't give you any firm answers..just some best guesses. Tissue necrosis is a generalized term for any bacterial infection that causes tissue death and erosion. For example, snout and tail rot are types of necrosis usually caused by Vibrio infections.

Is she (it is a she, yes?) using the fin regularly, or is she keeping it clamped down against her body a lot? Fin rot is a known condition in seahorses, and from your description sounds like an issue she might have. Fin rot is considered a little less threatening than other necroses for our horses, but still something that needs to be taken seriously. Fin rot can be cause by a number of different bacteria that lie semi-dormant both in the tank and on the horse. These bugs typically start to get out of control when the animal is stressed (a move to a new home, for instance!) and when water quality is poor....which brings me back to my earlier question about the Big 4 for your water chemistry.

If your parameters are out of whack, I'd recommend at least a 50% water change. Even if they're in line, I'd still do at least a 25% water change every couple days. Lower the water temp to 70 if you can by putting a fan over the top if you don't have a chiller...this will slow the bacterial growth and give her time to let her natural defenses take over. And by all means, WATCH that fin. If it's getting worse, you may need to use an antibiotic, but I wouldn't do that just yet....remember, I'm going off of some guess work here from your description and could be DEAD wrong.

The parameters are all perfect except for some elevated nitrates (20-40) temp is around 72. I'll put a fan above the tank to try to lower it. It looks like a she but I am new to the seahorse game, so I could be wrong but I don't see a pouch. I've been doing a water change about every day. Will probably miss today's (st pattys) so I did a larger one yesterday. It is swimming around regularly. Fin is not clamped except when it's stationary, which I assume is normal. I'll try to get better photos tomorrow.

novahobbies · 03/17/2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanothon

The parameters are all perfect except for some elevated nitrates (20-40) temp is around 72. I'll put a fan above the tank to try to lower it. It looks like a she but I am new to the seahorse game, so I could be wrong but I don't see a pouch. I've been doing a water change about every day. Will probably miss today's (st pattys) so I did a larger one yesterday. It is swimming around regularly. Fin is not clamped except when it's stationary, which I assume is normal. I'll try to get better photos tomorrow.

Yes, that's normal. Good job on the water changes, just make sure the temp, pH, and salinity match when you're doing multiple water changes like that. You say the parameters are perfect...you have your own tests, and the Amm and nitrite are 0? I'm only asking because some less than reputable LFS's will test your water and say "you're good" even with a little ammonia showing. I've seen it happen (not at MY lfs!)

I wouldn't go dosing anything just yet. I think you're on the right track - close observation, clean tank, and patience. There are smarter people than I who will hopefully chime in when you get the new pics posted. Enjoy St Pattys!

seanothon · 03/17/2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novahobbies

Yes, that's normal. Good job on the water changes, just make sure the temp, pH, and salinity match when you're doing multiple water changes like that. You say the parameters are perfect...you have your own tests, and the Amm and nitrite are 0? I'm only asking because some less than reputable LFS's will test your water and say "you're good" even with a little ammonia showing. I've seen it happen (not at MY lfs!)

I wouldn't go dosing anything just yet. I think you're on the right track - close observation, clean tank, and patience. There are smarter people than I who will hopefully chime in when you get the new pics posted. Enjoy St Pattys!

Yeah, I have my own test kits and they're all 0. Thanks for the help!

seanothon · 03/19/2012, 01:16 PM

Here are some more shots. It seems to have gotten better, somewhat. I am not seeing much of the spots but it does still look milky.

mtc1966 · 03/19/2012, 01:44 PM

not sure what it looks like in person but all i see is the translucent edge of its fin.

novahobbies · 03/19/2012, 09:44 PM

I'm with MTC. I can't see much other than what appears to be a normal fin edge. I'm sure it's tough to get a good pic of this area.

seanothon · 03/20/2012, 08:48 AM

So it doesn't look too milky to anyone? I may be just seeing things myself after the spots left. I'll keep a good eye on it over the next little bit just to make sure.

seahorsedreams · 03/24/2012, 04:57 PM

It would help to see a side view of the fin rather than a edge-on view.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

03/16/2012, 01:05 PM	#4
charleneatkins Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: andover ct 06232 Posts: 1,813	what temp was it at and now. You could get artemiss and treat the tank. It does not hurt the biology of the tank. __________________ Hope keeps things alive and looking forward Current Tank Info: 28,29,55 & 90g mixed reef,35G hex seahorses/mandarins,10G FW

03/16/2012, 06:20 PM	#7
rayjay Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,949	Only if it's a bacteria problem. I can't tell from the description or the pictures. __________________ 490g soft lps clams tangs b'flies clean wrasses, seahorses. All tanks lit with N.O.fluor., most Berlin method. No clean up crews. See website for N.O. fluor. pics. Culture nanno, rotifers and brine shrimp. Current Tank Info: Seahorses, Reef, and Fish only

03/19/2012, 01:44 PM	#13
mtc1966 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: middletown,ct Posts: 5,775	not sure what it looks like in person but all i see is the translucent edge of its fin. __________________ 65g seahorse tank 20g sump with a reef octopus skimmer ,tlf 150 reactor, red sea ozone generator controller,cpr hob fuge with light and 2 China led lights one 42x1 w and one 24x3 w. occupied by 4 ecectus seahorses a couple small gobies and cuc. Current Tank Info: 58g main with 20g sump

03/24/2012, 04:57 PM	#16
seahorsedreams Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Carson, Ca Posts: 1,887	It would help to see a side view of the fin rather than a edge-on view. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD __________________ RENEE aka R. Hixson-Cole in a ReefLife Magazine near you! "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense" -Buddha

03/16/2012, 11:16 AM	#2
novahobbies Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Deerfield Beach Posts: 258	Hmm...very hard to tell with those pics. I'd try for some better photos, and otherwise just watch to see if it gets worse. Horses don't USUALLy get ich, but it can be possible. I'd worry about a necrosis issue more than ich.

03/16/2012, 12:31 PM	#3
seanothon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 288	I'll try to get some better pics but I don't know if I'll get any. necrosis? I'm unfamiliar with this. The fin appears to have some white spots on it but it also appears milky in some parts, not like it was salted like ich. The spots appear to be on the fins edges are seem larger than ich would be

03/16/2012, 02:07 PM	#6
seanothon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 288	I found some maracyn and maracyn 2 I had for a previous issue. Would using these be advisable?

03/16/2012, 09:18 PM	#8
novahobbies Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Deerfield Beach Posts: 258	You say it's in QT, yes? What is your water chemistry like? Ammonia, 'trites, 'trates, and pH readings? It's a good sign that she's eating. It's still very tough to tell from those shots...can you get some better ones? From your description, I don't think it's ich, but I can't give you any firm answers..just some best guesses. Tissue necrosis is a generalized term for any bacterial infection that causes tissue death and erosion. For example, snout and tail rot are types of necrosis usually caused by Vibrio infections. Is she (it is a she, yes?) using the fin regularly, or is she keeping it clamped down against her body a lot? Fin rot is a known condition in seahorses, and from your description sounds like an issue she might have. Fin rot is considered a little less threatening than other necroses for our horses, but still something that needs to be taken seriously. Fin rot can be cause by a number of different bacteria that lie semi-dormant both in the tank and on the horse. These bugs typically start to get out of control when the animal is stressed (a move to a new home, for instance!) and when water quality is poor....which brings me back to my earlier question about the Big 4 for your water chemistry. If your parameters are out of whack, I'd recommend at least a 50% water change. Even if they're in line, I'd still do at least a 25% water change every couple days. Lower the water temp to 70 if you can by putting a fan over the top if you don't have a chiller...this will slow the bacterial growth and give her time to let her natural defenses take over. And by all means, WATCH that fin. If it's getting worse, you may need to use an antibiotic, but I wouldn't do that just yet....remember, I'm going off of some guess work here from your description and could be DEAD wrong.

03/19/2012, 09:44 PM	#14
novahobbies Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Deerfield Beach Posts: 258	I'm with MTC. I can't see much other than what appears to be a normal fin edge. I'm sure it's tough to get a good pic of this area.

03/20/2012, 08:48 AM	#15
seanothon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 288	So it doesn't look too milky to anyone? I may be just seeing things myself after the spots left. I'll keep a good eye on it over the next little bit just to make sure.