Blue & Gold Pipefish-Need Info.

[nanafish]

I've had this pair of blue and gold pipefish for about a yr. They are very active and a joy to watch in the tank. The past few months, one began displaying what I thought was a pouch underneath the body which took up 2/3 the body length. Upon closer exam, it looks like skin draped underneath. They eat like champs, interact with the seahorses in the tank. They seam to like to lie along side the tank heater. I've to see if there were eggs or young fry there= nothing. Is there anyone out there that would have any info on them or least any links I can check?

 

[mollymonticello]

This is what they look like with eggs

<img src="http://www.stephenwong.com/albums/syngnathidae/Pipefish_Bluestripe_Pipefish_01_with_Eggs.jpg">

<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/NokogiriYJ.jpg/370px-NokogiriYJ.jpg">

I know it's difficult, can you get a photo of yours?

My pipefish like to swim vertically behind pipes, too.

Be careful with that heater, though, it can actually burn seahorses or pipefish if they hitch on it or come into close contact with it. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet, actually. You can buy a really cheap heater guard, or put your heater in your sump/refugium.

You probably don't even need your heater. You want your temperature at or below 74 degrees, anyhow. That temperature is safe for all reef animals.

http://www.seahorsesource.com/cgi-bin/shop/search.cgi?&category=Dry Goods-Heaters