Abstract
Seahorses are unique fish belonging to the order Syngnathiformes, along with pipefish and sea dragons. They are a popular display species in public aquaria in North America, owing to their unique anatomy and natural history. There has been an effective movement in aquaria in recent years to improve the husbandry and preventive veterinary management plans of these species. Despite the vast growth in the body of knowledge on keeping these fish they are still a notably difficult species to manage in captivity. Bacterial infections, nutritional disorders, parasitism, and Mycobacteriosis are common causes of morbidity and mortality in captive seahorses.1 Medical treatment of sygnathids is difficult due to their anatomy and size. This case report describes the clinical observations and pathology findings in a group of seven captive-bred and captive-reared seahorses housed in a public aquarium. Lethargy, anorexia, pouch discharge, and buoyancy problems were observed among the group; despite aggressive treatment all seven animals died or were euthanized. On necropsy Cryptosporidial enteritis, Cryptobia spp. infection, branchitis, diffuse gas bubble emboli, rhabdomyolysis, and inanition were salient findings.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Sue Faso, Taylor Cook, and the aquarium staff at Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
* Presenting author
+ Student presenter
Literature Cited
1. LePage V, Young J, Dutton CJ, et al. 2015. Diseases of captive yellow seahorse Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, pot-bellied seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis Lesson and weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Lacépède). J Fish Dis. 38:439–450.