African Bluestripe Pipefish
(Doryrhamphus excisus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Black, Blue, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Africa
Family: Syngnathidae
Reproduction: Pouch Brooder
Swim Level: Bottom

The African Bluestripe Pipefish has a long sleek peach-orange body with a shape similar to that of an eel. A dark stripe runs the entire length of its body.

It is difficult to keep in an aquarium and should be kept with other pipefish and seahorses in a separate, species-only tank that is 30 gallons or larger. It will not harm ornamental invertebrates in a reef setting. DO NOT HOUSE it with invertebrates with stinging tentacles (most corals and anemones), which can harm it. It requires plenty of hiding places such as caves or overhangs. The African Bluestripe Pipefish reacts poorly when harassed by other more aggressive fish such as: blennies, wrasses, gobies, triggerfish, and porcupinefish. Live rock or filamentous algae can provide a good source of extra nutrition for the African Bluestripe Pipefish.

It usually requires live food. The diet should consist of small live invertebrates such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, baby guppies, grass shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. It needs to be fed at least three times per day, and is a very slow eater because of its tiny tubular mouth.

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Banded Pipefish
(Doriorhamphus dactyliophorus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Blue, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Syngnathidae

The Banded Pipefish is also referred to as the Ringed Pipefish. It is a long sleek fish, with a body shape similar to that of an eel. It is a greenish-yellow with black rings spaced evenly along the body. The oval-shaped tail is a striking red and is fringed in white with a white spot in the middle.

The Banded Pipefish is difficult to keep in an aquarium and should be kept with other pipefish and seahorses in a separate species-only tank that is 55 gallons or larger with multiple caves and overhangs. It will not harm ornamental invertebrates in a reef setting. DO NOT HOUSE it with invertebrates with stinging tentacles (most corals and anemones), because they can harm it. The Banded Pipefish reacts poorly when harassed by other more aggressive fish such as blennies, wrasses, tobies, triggerfish, and porcupinefish.

The diet should consist of small live invertebrates such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, baby guppies, grass shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. If the Banded Pipefish will eat them, frozen mysis shrimp provide good nutrition. It needs to be fed at least three times per day, and is a very slow eater because of its tiny tubular mouth.

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Dragonface Pipefish
(Corythoichthys haematopterus)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 7″
Diet: Carnivore

The Dragonface Pipefish, also known as the Dragon Pipefish, Messmate Pipefish, or Reeftop Pipefish, is a long sleek fish with a body shape similar to that of an eel.

It is difficult to keep in an aquarium for the beginner, but is well suited for the advanced aquarist when maintained with other pipefish and seahorses in 30 gallons or larger aquariums. These pipefish will not harm ornamental invertebrates in a reef setting, and requires plenty of hiding places such as caves or overhangs. The fish use their tail to anchor themselves on coral branches and other structured objects when searching for food, and are very interesting additions to the home aquarium. The Dragonface Pipefish reacts poorly when harassed by other more aggressive fish such as: blennies, larger wrasses, large gobies, triggerfish, and porcupinefish.

When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. The diet should consist of small, live invertebrates such as brine shrimp, amphipods, tiny grass shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. It needs to be fed at several times per day, and is a very slow eater because of its tiny tubular mouth.

This species of pipefish has been found to consume the micro-amphipod commonly referred to as the dreaded “Red Bugs” that have now become prevalent in reef aquariums that contain Acropora coral. Red Bug infestations on Acropora corals have been shown to inhibit polyp extension and growth, while causing shifts or loss in coloration. After the pipefish is accustomed to the surroundings and tankmates in the reef aquarium, they will quickly seek out these red bugs as a food source.

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Janss’ Pipefish
(Doryrhamphus janssi)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Blue, Orange
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Syngnathidae

The Janss’ Pipefish is a long sleek fish with a body shape similar to that of an eel. In the wild it acts as a cleaner fish for Cardinalfish.

It is difficult to keep in an aquarium and should be kept with other pipefish and seahorses in a separate, species-only tank that is 25 gallons or larger. It will not harm ornamental invertebrates in a reef setting. DO NOT HOUSE with invertebrates with stinging tentacles (most corals and anemones), since they can harm it. The tank should have plenty of hiding places such as caves or overhangs. The Janss’ Pipefish reacts poorly when harassed by other more aggressive fish such as: blennies, wrasses, gobies, triggerfish, and porcupinefish. Live rock and sand can provide organisms which supplement the diet.

When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. It usually requires live food such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, baby guppies, grass shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. It needs to be fed at least three times per day, and is a very slow eater because of its tiny tubular mouth.

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Yellow Multibanded Pipefish
(Doryrhamphus pussuliferus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 7″
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Syngnathidae

The Yellow Multibanded Pipefish is also referred to as the Multibar Pipefish, Many-bands Pipefish, and the Yellow Banded Pipefish. It is a long sleek fish, with a body shape similar to that of an eel. It has vertical thin black and yellow stripes running the length of the body, with an elongated yellow/orange mouth. The oval-shaped tail is a striking red with a yellow patch in the center.

The Yellow Multibanded Pipefish is difficult to keep in an aquarium and should be kept with other pipefish and seahorses in a separate species-only aquarium that is 30 gallons or larger with multiple caves and overhangs. It will not harm ornamental invertebrates in a reef setting. DO NOT HOUSE it with invertebrates with stinging tentacles (most corals and anemones), because they can harm it. The Multibanded Pipefish reacts poorly when harassed by other more aggressive fish such as blennies, wrasses, tobies, triggerfish, and porcupinefish.

When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. The diet should consist of small live invertebrates such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, baby guppies, ghost shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. If the Multibanded Pipefish will eat them, frozen mysis shrimp provide good nutrition. It needs to be fed at least three times per day, and is a very slow eater because of its tiny tubular mouth.

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