Livestock | Marine | Marine Fish | Pipefish

Keeping Saltwater Pipefish in Marine Aquariums

Saltwater pipefish are slender, elegant relatives of seahorses known for their slow, graceful movements and unique body shape. They require peaceful environments and specialized care, making them more suitable for experienced aquarists or species-specific setups.

General Care Tips:

Pipefish thrive in stable, mature aquariums with temperatures between 72–78°F and a pH of 8.1–8.4. They prefer calm water flow, live rock for hitching and shelter, and tanks free of aggressive or fast-swimming fish. A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended for most species.

Feeding:

Pipefish feed primarily on small live or frozen foods such as copepods, baby brine shrimp, and enriched mysis shrimp. Frequent feeding—2 to 3 times daily—is important due to their slow feeding habits and high metabolism. In systems with refugiums, live food populations can help support their diet.

Compatibility and Behavior:

Pipefish are peaceful and slow-moving, easily outcompeted for food by faster tankmates. They do best in calm, species-specific tanks or with a carefully chosen group of peaceful fish. Their behavior is gentle and shy, and they often cling to surfaces with their tails or hover near live rock.

Popular Pipefish Species:

Banded Pipefish (Doryrhamphus spp.): Smaller, more colorful species with vivid banding, often seen hovering near rockwork.

Bluestripe Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus): Bright blue stripe and active swimmer, best in peaceful nano or species tanks.

Suitable Tankmates:

Ideal tankmates for pipefish include other gentle, slow-feeding fish such as seahorses, small gobies, and mandarins. Seahorses in particular make excellent companions, as they share similar feeding and environmental needs. Avoid housing with aggressive, fast, or boisterous fish that may outcompete them for food or cause stress.

Summary:

Saltwater pipefish are graceful, fascinating fish best suited for quiet, well-maintained aquariums with gentle tankmates and a steady supply of small, nutritious foods. Their unique appearance and peaceful nature make them a rewarding choice for aquarists prepared to meet their specific care needs.