Seahorses and related species are becoming increasingly popular in the pet trade and among public aquaria. Their use in the aquarium trade and in Traditional Chinese Medicine has resulted in overharvesting of wild populations, prompting aquaculture initiatives to provide an alternative supply.

In collaboration with The University of Florida and other colleagues, The Center for Conservation successfully executed a study to examine the effect of sound from aquaculture pumps on the behavior and physiology of seahorses in captivity.  Researchers discovered that noise commonly encountered in seahorse aquaria is loud enough to elicit a chronic stress response, resulting in reduced growth, weight loss, body condition, and changes in the immune system.  Along the way, scientists discovered that seahorses make "click" sounds as a part of their courtship ritual, to which mates respond; but ambient noise is generally not loud enough to mask the sound used by seahorses during courtship in captivity.  Given the effects of noisy tanks in aquaculture, our scientists have been able to provide soundproofing recommendations to the aquarium and aquaculture industry.   

Partnerships:

• The University of Florida

• The University of South Florida

• The University of Tampa

• Acoustic Sciences Corporation

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

• Pioneer Hill Software

• Rhode Island ENT Physicians, Inc.

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums 
• Dallas World Aquarium
• Henry Doorly Zoo
• Maritime Aquarium
• Moody Gardens
• New England Aquarium
• Pittsburgh Aquarium
• Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
• Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
• Tennessee Aquarium

Sponsors:

• The University of Florida

• Morris Animal Foundation

• Spurlino Foundation

• American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

• Mazuri

• A.R.E.A.

• United States Aquaculture Society

• Sea Critters, Inc.

• Above The Reef

• Mary Jane Shrimp Co.

• Aquamarina Twin Rivers

• Project A.W.A.R.E.

• Pier Aquarium, Inc.

From the Library:

Anderson, P.  2010.  Sound, Stress, and Seahorses.  Regional Aquatics Workshop, Omaha, NE.

Anderson, P., Adams, E., Lindberg, W., and Mann, D.  2010.  Hearing and acoustic communication in the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus).  Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Providence, RI.  Link

Anderson, P., Berzins, I., Fogarty, F., Guillette, L., and Hamlin, H. 2007. Sound, stress, and seahorses: The consequences of a noisy environment on animal welfare. 38^th Annual Conference of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine Proceedings: p. 32-33.  Link

Anderson, P., Berzins, I., Fogarty, F., Guillette, L., and Hamlin, H. 2008. Sound, stress, and seahorses: The consequences of a noisy environment on animal welfare. Aquaculture America 2008.  Link

Awai, M.  2001.  Dragon tales:  Keeping leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) at The Florida Aquarium.  Midwest Marine Conference, Ann Arbor, MI.

Berzins, I.K.  2000.  Seahorse field studies.  Annual AZA Conference, Orlando, FL.

Berzins, I.K. 2008. Water Breathing Dragons. In Spelman, L.H., and Mashima, T.Y. (Eds). The Rhino With Glue-On Shoes. Delacorte.

Berzins, I.K., and Greenwell, M.  2001.  An overview of common syngnathid health problems.  The 2nd International Marine Ornamental Conference.

Berzins, I.K., Greenwell, M., and Whitaker, B.  2002.  Common syngnathid health problems.  Eastern Fish Health Workshop.

Croft, L., Berzins, I., Kilgore, K. 2006. Sudden mortality in two apparently healthy Lined seahorses (Hippocampus erectus). 37^th Annual Conference of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine.  Link

Mumford, S., Stamper, M.A., Raines, J., Berzins, I.K., Greenwell, M., and Law, M.  2000.  Diseases of the leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) and weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus):  The experiences of four institutions.  Proceedings of the Joint Conference of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine pp. 606-608.  Link

Slater, A.  2000.  "Dragons Down Under":  Innovative designs and husbandry employed for seadragons at The Florida Aquarium.  Eastern Regional American Zoo and Aquarium Association Proceedings.

Related Pages:

• Aquatic Medicine
  
• Dragons Down Under
  
• Bays & Beaches