Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm and Tours | Kona Hawaii › Forums › Seahorse Life and Care › I am new to seahorses I have a question? › Re:I am new to seahorses I have a question?
Dear Jeanna:
Nope, unfortunately the difficulties your male seahorse is having are not normal at all. Difficulty swimming upright and maintaining its normal equilibrium, struggling with positive buoyancy and floating at the surface, and a swollen brood pouch are all indications of pouch emphysema, a form of gas bubble syndrome (GBS).
You will need to release the trapped gas from your male’s brood pouch to provide him with some quick relief and then treat him for chronic pouch emphysema in order to restore him to good health. If you will read the discussion thread titled "pregnant or gas" right below your post, you will find detailed instructions explaining different methods for releasing the gas and treating this particular problem. One of those methods should work well for you, and you need to be aware that this type of problem will worsen and eventually prove fatal if it is left untreated.
Best of luck resolving your male’s buoyancy problem, Jeanna.
Respectfully,
Pete Giwojna