Pipe Fish

[PhunFishGuy]

I am looking for info on the pipefish... the fish that is long, narrow and looks like a seahorse. Anybody know what Im talkin about? I'll try to find a picture.

 

[CFC]

Pipe fishes are extreemly delicate and difficult to feed, they are sensative to poor water quallity so nitrates should always be kept to a minimum and foods need to be small and usually live, a good supply of live brineshrimp and daphnia is a must if you plan on keeping this fish. They are best kept in a species only tank or with only small non aggressive tankmates. Keep the SG at around 1.007 so that a protein skimmer can be used to keep the water quallity good.

 

[PhunFishGuy]

Thanks for that... I had planned on using baby Mollies to feed it. Will that work?

 

[CFC]

It depends on the species, of the most commonly imported species only the giant African freshwater pipefish Microphis brachyurus aculeatus would be able to manage mollie fry and then only at full adult size, for the other smaller species and juvinile giant pipes mollie fry will probably be too big. Guppy fry would be better if you plan to go down this route but IMO you would be better off sticking to small live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms.