Gibb's Pipehorse (Festucalex gibbsi)

[Franco724]

I've heard plenty about the elusive pipe horses online and in some books/magazines - but I never thought I would see them for sale or available in the hobby. Just one of those elusive species that is never imported.

'lo and behold - upon the daily check of LA DD, there was this little guy:
Gibb's Pipehorse (Festucalex gibbsi):

It'll be here this saturday, along with the dracula goby and pistol shrimp pair I also ordered, and all residing in my 29 tall currently with my ORA green mandarin (fat and healthy eating prepared foods, yes) and pair of banggai cardinal fish.

What do you all think? LA DD said its readily accepting ova - and I'm hoping to get the little guy feeding on frozen enriched brine and mysids. I also have rapidly breeding saltwater mollies that I could offer it.

 

[KirbyBTF]

Looks amazing! Regarding the saltwater mollies, I think even the newborn fry might be too large for a pipefish's mouth. Other than that it sounds like you have a solid plan! Good luck, and keep us updated.

 

[Bratyboy2]

Tagging.along since I really wanted a group of these

 

[H.reidi.MN]

They offered 2 up had i had a tank would have tried to get 1 or both..

 

[Bratyboy2]

I ha e seen this one the most on the divers den. They had a trio of another kind that was yellow/green in color and its body shape was like this. Only time I saw it and they were not cheap. Think in the $200 range if I remember right

 

[Franco724]

The little guy arrived today, he is almost a fluorescent red - I'm really excited about it. He immediately darted into the live rock and I can't really see him - I'm hoping with actinics on for the evening that he'll start exploring and make his way into the caulerpa patch and get comfortable. I tried to feed some brine and roe, but he showed no interest as of yet.

Kirby - his mouth is tiiiiiiny - so you were certainly right about the mollies being too large. I started breeding saltwater mollies in a fallow 10gal for a frogfish that I had and lost - now i'm overrun (about 40+) with them and nothing to feed them to.

I'll try to get pictures for everyone tomorrow or sometime this week once he is settled in and becoming bold. I paid a pretty penny for this little guy, so hopefully he'll do well.

 

[KirbyBTF]

Very excited for pictures! I hope he does well for you.

 

[Bratyboy2]

+1 me 2

 

[Bratyboy2]

How is the little guy fairing?

 

[Bratyboy2]

Any updates?