Dark Areas on Superior Trunk Ridge

Dear Dawn:

I was unable to access the photograph via the link you provided, so I’d like you to send a brief e-mail to me personally at the following address and for you to attach photographs of the seahorses you are concerned about. I can then download those photos, enlarge them, and zoom in on many portions of their anatomy to get the closest possible look at the areas you are concerned about:

[email protected]

However, without having seen the greenish-black areas you mentioned, my first inclination is that they are probably natural markings.

As you know, seahorses are truly the chameleons of the sea with a propensity for changing color in response to a wide range of environmental factors, hormonal influences, and behavioral interactions. The mood of the seahorse is often reflected in the coloration it expresses at the moment. For example, when excited, seahorses typically brighten in coloration, reflecting a state of high arousal. They will often lightening in coloration or brighten up when eating, courting, or greeting, betraying their excitement. On the other hand, seahorses typically darken in response to stress, and fear, anxiety and distress are generally accompanied by dark, somber hues.

Please send photos of the seahorses with the suspicious markings as attachments to an e-mail directed to my personal e-mail address, and they will examine them closely for any sign of a skin infection or other health problem.

Respectfully,
Pete Giwojna, Ocean Rider Tech Support