Dear Nigel:
It sounds like your male Zulu (Hippocampus capensis) is doing a little better now that he’s had a chance to get used to the move back into your main tank. As long as he’s eating well and displaying a healthy interest in his mate, you’re on the right track.
Is his pouch continuing to grow? If your male is pregnant and nearing the end of the gestation period, it’s not unusual for him to change coloration. And if your Zulus are courting or conducting daily greetings, they brighten in coloration during those displays as well. So I wouldn’t be too concerned if your male’s coloration has changed from black to gray recently. Seahorses normally darken in response to stress, rather than lightening in coloration.
Maintain optimum water quality, keep your water temperature below 75°F at all times (72°F would be ideal), make sure he’s getting plenty to eat, and you can’t go far wrong, Nigel!
Best of luck with your seahorses, sir!
Respectfully,
Pete Giwojna
Ocean Rider, Inc. is an Organic Hawaiian-Based Seahorse Aqua-Farm & Aquarium that Follows Strict Good Farming Practices in Raising Seahorses and Other Aquatic Life.
