Treatments for common diseases affecting ropical seahorse, Hippocampus barbouri in captive condition

Disease problem is one of the main obstacle in the success of seahorse aquaculture. Uncontrolled outbreaks can result in mass mortality of seahorses in culture system. Early detection allows the application of non invasive treatments such as freshwater and formalin dip. In this study, juveniles and adults Hippocampus barbouri were maintained in glass aquaria and observed for diseases outbreak and symptoms. Upon detection, treatment of infected seahorses were carried out, monitored, and recorded for mortality and recovery. Hippocampus barbouri were found to be quite prone to gas bubble disease (GBD), tail rot and annelid infestation. GBD was treated by physical removal of gas bubbles on epidermis and pouch. While tail rot and annelid infestation were treated with formalin. The use of antibiotic dip such neomycin was found to be effective in treating lesion and tail rot. It was observed that early detection of diseases allow for immediate treatment thus life saving for H. barbouri.