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Originally Posted by sasquatch  Matt? is this bacteria something that can be slowed with UV? or maybe its coming in with the seafood we use to feed our stock? |
Vibrio is present in every system and in most cases is being carried by the horses or other livestock asymptomatically. It could possibly be in the foods we feed, but I haven't sen anything of that just yet. Once a stress factor is introduced, the fish become immunocompromised and the bacteria gets a foothold. Once it gets a foothold it continues to effect the fish unless the stress factor is removed and the fish is started on a course of antibiotics. And even then if it's not caught early enough you still may not be able to save the animal.
Stress can be caused by shipping, poor diet, inappropriate tankmates, poor tank conditions and any number of other things. Even having seahorses in a high traffic area seems to effect them. When I had my horses in the living room, they hid quite a bit and were hardly ever out. Once I moved them into my bedroom, they became much more active and are out just about all the time now.
They seem to be pretty prone to stressing, that is why it is important to research them and be very careful with what you put in with them.
So to answer the original question, yes a UV will help to slow the bacteria and is actually one of the more reccomended pieces of euiptment on a seahorse tank. Just make sure to get one that is appropriately sized and that your flow rates are within it's limits. UV will can add heat to your tank if you have the flow too low through it. Heat is your worst enemy in a seahorse tank.