Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm and Tours | Kona Hawaii › Forums › Seahorse Life and Care › Continue tube feeding?
- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 8 months ago by Pete Giwojna.
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October 8, 2006 at 6:01 am #953SEAGAZERMember
Good day all,
Pete,
My female still is not eating. I\’ve tried everything. I\’ve tried freshwater dips, I\’ve placed her back into the reeftank with the male, and I\’ve used ghost shrimp, and live brine. I have been tube feeding her every other day with selcon, mysis, spirulina, cod liver oil, and vibrance II. How long should I go on with the tube feeding before I should just throw in the towel? It is so much work, and It stresses her out even more everytime I do it. Not really sure what to do at this point anymore. Her girth is getting really bad. When I first put her into the reeftank again I though all would be fine. She started her mating dance right away, and was obviously happy to be back home again.Any wisdom for me?
Thanks again
:SOctober 8, 2006 at 4:46 pm #2928Pete GiwojnaGuestDear Seagazer:
That’s quite a dilemma, sir. It doesn’t sound like you have many good options left. If your female has no interest in even live foods, and you’ve ruled out being separated from her tankmates as the problem with her lack of appetite, there’s not much else you can try.
Of course, as a first-hand observer you are in the best position to judge when the time has come to pull the plug, but for wherever it’s worth, I can tell you that in my experience when tube feeding is successful, the seahorse in question usually resumes feeding on its own within a few days of providing it with nutritional support via the tube feedings. The longer the tube-feeding has to be continued, the less likely there will be a good outcome. If your female is losing conditioning despite the tube feedings, Seagazer, then perhaps there’s no point in prolonging her misery any longer. If she still shows no signs of improvement within the next day or two, I would say it’s time to consider euthanasia.
Best of luck dealing with this most difficult situation, sir.
Respectfully,
Pete Giwojna -
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