Seahorse help

[phishgirl]

Hi everyone! I’m newer to seahorses specifically, but I’ve had saltwater tanks for about a year and a half now. I recently got into seahorses and had a question about my male’s pouch darkening.



He is paired with a female, still eating normally, active, and otherwise seems okay - I just noticed his pouch has become noticeably darker and I’m trying to figure out if this is normal breeding behavior, coloration changes, or something I should be concerned about.





I know everyone will probably ask for water parameters I do have someone very experienced who comes every 2 days to check and maintain the tank and keeps everything logged in an app/Excel sheet, but I don’t personally know all the exact numbers off the top of my head yet. I can get them ASAP





Just wanted to see if anyone has experienced this with male seahorses before or has any advice/insight!

 

[jello]

Yes, it would be best if you could start by naming the general water parameters as soon as you can. Many times, it could be water quality issues or poor acclimation if they are a new addition to your aquarium. Although you have someone who comes in to help, I highly recommend learning to do it yourself, just in case emergencies like this arise, and you can be at the top of your game.

Off the top of my head, I can assume that it is either your male seahorse is carrying young (so yes, breeding as you suspected) or stress, as they can camouflage due to it. Since he's eating and swimming okay, I'd assume all is well and it's the pregnancy claim, but we can't be completely sure unless your parameters are all cleared, too.

In general, I advise you to speak with that experienced person and reply with the numbers here so more seahorse experts can give you better answers.

 

[phishgirl]

Yes, it would be best if you could start by naming the general water parameters as soon as you can. Many times, it could be water quality issues or poor acclimation if they are a new addition to your aquarium. Although you have someone who comes in to help, I highly recommend learning to do it yourself, just in case emergencies like this arise, and you can be at the top of your game.

Off the top of my head, I can assume that it is either your male seahorse is carrying young (so yes, breeding as you suspected) or stress, as they can camouflage due to it. Since he's eating and swimming okay, I'd assume all is well and it's the pregnancy claim, but we can't be completely sure unless your parameters are all cleared, too.

In general, I advise you to speak with that experienced person and reply with the numbers here so more seahorse experts can give you better answers.

Thank you so much! He is coming over this morning to retest water again. I really appreciate it! I have my regular old test kit, but he has an electronic one that reads better. Maybe I should look into getting one.

 

[jello]

Thank you so much! He is coming over this morning to retest water again. I really appreciate it! I have my regular old test kit, but he has an electronic one that reads better. Maybe I should look into getting one.

Of course! I'm glad that he's coming over, your seahorses are so beautiful I wish you the best of luck with them! I think electronic ones are worth getting, I recommend getting ones for parameters that are harder to read or more frequently checked if you're working around a budget, and then use the regular kit for the rest

 

[RaymondBily]

Of course! I'm glad that he's coming over, your seahorses are so beautiful I wish you the best of luck with them! I think electronic ones are worth getting, I recommend getting ones for parameters that are harder to read or more frequently checked if you're working around a budget, and then use the regular kit for the rest

I'm planning to acquire some seahorses after summer. I'm curious about the eletronic test kits -- is there a brand that people have had good success with?

 

[PhishEDELIC]

I’m just here to compliment you on your R2R handle name, lol

 

[jello]

I'm planning to acquire some seahorses after summer. I'm curious about the eletronic test kits -- is there a brand that people have had good success with?

Good luck with your seahorses! One of the most well-known brands that I've seen being used by people, including BRS, are the HANNA ones. I personally use the HANNA checkers when I want a quicker and more accurate read, and haven't dealt with any problems with them on my end. They're expensive but worth it, I got mine off Amazon. You can also find hundreds of tutorials on how to use them on YouTube.

 

[phishgirl]

Good luck with your seahorses! One of the most well-known brands that I've seen being used by people, including BRS, are the HANNA ones. I personally use the HANNA checkers when I want a quicker and more accurate read, and haven't dealt with any problems with them on my end. They're expensive but worth it, I got mine off Amazon. You can also find hundreds of tutorials on how to use them on YouTube.

0.07ppm phosphates and 12ppm on the nitrates.

They seem to be doing well! Do you have any recommendations on feeding stations?

 

[phishgirl]

Good luck with your seahorses! One of the most well-known brands that I've seen being used by people, including BRS, are the HANNA ones. I personally use the HANNA checkers when I want a quicker and more accurate read, and haven't dealt with any problems with them on my end. They're expensive but worth it, I got mine off Amazon. You can also find hundreds of tutorials on how to use them on YouTube.

Here he is today

 

[vetteguy53081]

Here he is today

Looks to be fluid accumulation known as ascites can make the pouch look protruded and darker in appearance.

 

[phishgirl]

Looks to be fluid accumulation known as ascites can make the pouch look protruded and darker in appearance.

He is very active has no issues swimming, hitching, and he eats a lot

 

[jello]

Here he is today

Since you mentioned him swimming and eating okay, along with how you have your tank regularly checked by an expert (I assume), hopefully all will be well. Just keep doing what you're doing!