Pipefish - Facts On Marine Pipefish
69Pipefish Facts
Scientific Name : Syngnathinae
Origin : Tropical And Temperate Seas
DIfficulty : Medium To Hard
Minimum Size Tank : 75 gallons
Temperature : 72 - 82°F
Reef Safe : Yes
Maximum Size :7 Inches (average)
Diet : Carnivores
Pipefish are part of the Syngnathidae family of fishes that include the Seahorse, Leafy Sea Dragon and the Weedy Sea Dragon.
Doryrhamphus Pessuliferus
Doryrhamphus Pessuliferus
The pipefish best resembles a seahorse that has been completely straightened out. Unlike the seahorse however, they have a caudal fin which aids in swimming.
While the pipefish is thin, it is also long. Most pipefish can achieve a length of a foot or more.
A genus syngnathinae is a large genus with over 150 species. A handful of them are seen in the saltwater aquarium trade. Although it must be stated that they are never as popular as seahorses.
Like most of their kin, they inhabit warmer waters with some form of algae (seagrass) that helps shelter. Additionally, they are slow and clumsy swimmers that do not do well in aquariums with a lot of water flow.
It is for this reason that species tanks are more suitable for pipefish as they have specialized needs.
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They feed on smaller crustaceans and fish that they can ambush within their territory. Because they are such slow swimmers, they normally cannot compete in an aquarium with other fishes.
Avoid strong flow as they can really struggle with it. Pick their tankmates with care, they are quite defenseless against harassment and can be stressed out.
It is essential that no stinging corals be placed in their aquarium. This means no sun corals (tubastrea, dendrophyllia sp etc), hammer, plate, octopus and especially avoid anemones.
They need to be fed frozen meaty foods that should be in the form of either freshly chopped seafood, krill or mysis. Never feed them frozen brine shrimp for any prolonged period of time as they lack the needed nutrients.
Breeding is similar to other members of the family syngnathidae. The male has a specialized pouch that the female deposits her eggs into. Upon hatching, the male expels them to fend for themselves.
