dragonface pipefish question

[kaiboshi]

I am in the midst of preparing one of my setups to house a pair of dragonface pipefish. Problem is I don't know where to get a pair of dragonface pipefish =]

I WANTED to go captive bred but the only captive bred pipefish I can find are the wrong species and are located in the UK. If anyone could give me some kind of a lead that would be awesome.

 

[namxas]

Nobody in the US is currently breeding DF's commercially. There are a few hobbyists out there who have had some limited success, but I'd say that unless you "know someone", you'll be procuring WC pipes.

 

[reefstew]

Fish Heads in S. Ca. has them on their list but they only sell wholesale. Go to your LFS & see if they can purchase them for you.

 

[Jeremy Snyder]

Is this what you were looking for:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+267+282&pcatid=282

 

[namxas]

DF's are available fairly regularly...just not CB stock to my knowledge. Fish Heads advertises "hand caught" stock, but not Captive Bred stock in terms of fish.

 

[reefstew]

DF's are available fairly regularly...just not CB stock to my knowledge. Fish Heads advertises "hand caught" stock, but not Captive Bred stock in terms of fish.

Some of their fish is captive bred. I sell them Oscellaris clown fish from time to time.

 

[small alien]

I think you'll find it a little tough to be certain you're getting a m/f pair. Some retailers might pair them for you. You'll have to request it special. I asked Blue Zoo if they could do it and they said no. They can pair some fish, but pipes, no. I think I've seen one pair on DD in the last year or so. I'm not really sure what kind of "pair behavior" you'd be looking for if you were observing a group of them in a store tank other than two basically hanging out. The male has been said to have a flatter area on the "belly" where the eggs stick. I don't have the experience to be able to discern that. It's pretty subtle I think.

I don't believe you'll have any issues though if you do end up with two of the same sex. To say they're mellow is quite the understatement.

I had two and I think they were a m/f pair. But one just never ate with the vigor of the other. It eventually passed. The one that eats well is going strong in my 75 after a year and will take food out of the water column. A very neat fish.

Good luck.