bluestripe pipes

[danfrith]

hi all, i been keeping a pair of bluestripe pipefish for about 6 months now and they have been feeding well and seem over all very healthy and happy. In the last couple of months they have not spawned once. I feed them frozen mysis about once a day. Im thinking that it might be there frozen food diet. So basically any idea why there not spawning? they will be moving to a 29 gal. in a few months with a refugium were they hopefully get enough live pods.

 

[BruceW]

I also have a pair of bluestripes but I have not had them very long. I think like seahorses they take breaks from breeding. Mine seem to mate every eight days. I don't think this will be a year round occurence however.

You do need to offer a variety of foods however if you expect them to be in tip top shape for breeding. I offer mine frozen mini mysis, live shrimp larva, small live shrimp, amphipods, copepods, grown out enriched brine shrimp, cyclopeez etc.

Bruce

 

[David M]

Dan, are you sure ? IME the eggs are not all that easy to see and hatch out early in the day. You have about 90 seconds before the adults eat all the fry, very easy to miss the hatch. look closely at the males belly every few days, if it seems a little bumby rather than smooth get out your magnifying glass.

 

[danfrith]

ya, i can usually tell, he hasnt appeared to be carrying lately. also, how are your bluestripes doing David m?

 

[David M]

They're on strike, I don't think they like their tank. More of a holding pen really, not very indusive to spawning. They are a low priority right now but some day I'll get them set up better.