Ghost Pie Fish, Are They Leaga?

[Julio]

Hey Guys,
i was always under the impression from what i've been told by people in the industry that Ghost Pipe fish were under CITES, yet i see oe for sale on reefermadness. anyone have any info?

 

[panmanmatt]

To my knowledge, all syngnathids are CITIES protected,(ie. seahorses, pipefish, sea dragons etc). That just means that you have to have the proper permits to import/export them.

 

[Julio]

well, i guess, i should say, they are under CITES I OR II which means they are not leagal in the pet trade if you are not a zoological park or research facilty.

 

[pledosophy]

I do believe they are legal since they do come around every few months, but most keepers have very bad luck keeping htem long term. unless your really prepared for them I think they should best be left out of the hobby, although they are quite stunning.

 

[danfrith]

They also seem to each have a special host or somthing they mimick along with all ghost pipefish species, especially evident in the halimeda ghost pipefish. Alot of the pictures I've seen of the species in question apear to have the pipefish near a feather star, this could lead to alot of stress not having one of these in the aquaruim with it. Just my 2 cents.