Dear Kira & Nikki:
You’re most welcome! It’s very encouraging that your seahorse has recovered so quickly and is acting more like her old self again. With any luck at all, now that you’ve corrected the temperature and increased the circulation, and the conditions in the aquarium are back to normal, she won’t have any further difficulties.
But it would be a good precaution to keep some methylene blue on hand for respiratory problems should the labored breathing recur, and it would be prudent to obtain a good antiparasitics in case it becomes necessary to treat the main tank.
In your case, Kira and Nikki, I think Parinox by National Fish Pharmaceuticals would work well for you, as described below:
Parinox
USE: For Ich, hexamita, costia, ichthyophthirius, ectoparasites, monogenia, hirudinea, parasitic copepods, argulus, lernaea, anchor worms, fish lice, leeches. Also a protozoacide. Anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, very wide spectrum. Our version of a "cure-all".
DOSAGE: Use 1/4 teaspoon per 20 gallons. Treat once a week for 2 weeks. If water changes are done, add back the percentage of medication according to how much water was changed.
As you can see, the medication is effective against all of the ectoparasites and protozoan parasites that attack the gills of fish and cause respiratory distress. Although Parinox is safe for seahorses, it can be hard on crustaceans and certain invertebrates, but since the only invertebrates in your seahorse tank are a few hermit crabs and a feather duster, that should not present an insurmountable difficulty. If it becomes necessary to treat your main tank with Parinox, the hermit crabs and feather duster could easily be removed to a hospital tank or your reef tank for the duration of the treatment, and the medication should certainly rid your aquarium of any troublesome parasites that may be present. It’s another good medication to keep in your fish room medicine cabinet.
You can obtain Parinox online from National Fish Pharmaceuticals at the following URL:
Click here: Fish Medications
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/products.html
Best of luck with your seahorse’s breathing, Kira and Nikki! Be sure to follow up on the other preventative measures we discussed previously, such as increasing the aeration in your aquarium and enriching your frozen Mysis with Vibrance so your seahorse gets a daily dose of beta-glucan to boost her immune system.
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.
