Got a new pipefish

Paul B

Paul B

Premium Member
I just love pipefish and usually have bluestripe pipefish, but just now I got me a dragon pipefish. I fed him a bunch of new born brine shrimp before I put him in my reef because I know the store never fed her.
Of course my copperband figured she was a worm and took some exploratory bites but I think the copperband now knows that pipefish don't taste to good. They also have a very weird looking pipefish that I may just go back and get. I don't know what it is as I never saw one before. It was very thin, thinner than most pipefish with a long tapering front end and a long tapering back end that ended in a small tail. Kind of like a knitting needle. But the front was black then gradually turning to a bright orange as if air brushed, then back to black. It was the most unusual pipefish I had even seen and I wish I had some baby brine shrimp with me to try it out on it as it looked hungry and I am sure they can't feed it and I am also sure it hasn't eaten since it was collected so it will die if I don't get her. I am not sure if I can get back there in a couple of days.



 
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Paul,

Dragon faces are great. I have had my pair for about 20+ months. They hunt all the time.

The other pipe fish you described is a Janns pipefish. Very pretty but very shy.

Dave B
 
Janns, pipefish, Thanks, the thing looked very delicate but I still may go back and get it. I am sure in my reef I would never see it. The majority of my fish are like that. I had a cusk eel for 18 years and only saw it a couple of times and I never fed it. I killed it by accident. I saw it then.

My bluestripes spawn all the time and I have been keeping them for many years. But each pair only lives about 3 or 4 years.

 
I've got a Janns. They're pretty hardy and eat prepared foods. They do kind of stay out of sight though, hovering around under overhanging rock.

I also recently got a dragonface. Seems to be doing well hunting mysids - I don't think it eats prepared foods. Your newly hatched brine should be great if the copperband will share.
 
Robin, if I get time I will go back and get it as it will die in the store. I just don't think I can get back there in a few days and they have it in a bare tank.
How long have youi had the Janss?
 
Maybe six months? I can't keep track anymore. Once I'm sure a fish is going to be ok I guess I stop thinking about it.
 
It's so much easier that way, isn't it?

They only downside to the Janss is that they are intolerant of each other except in pairs. They're like bluestripes that way.
 
I ordered a Janss pipefish because when I went back to the store today the price went up by $20.00. But the wholesaler owes me something so I will get one for free. And free is better.
 
Beautiful fish, can't wait to see the picture of the next addition.

Your granddaughter is adorable, did you get her a tank yet?
 
She lives in Manhattan and we only see her maybe once a week, if she was closer, I already would have gotten her a goldfish tank like I had for my Daughter at her age.
I couldn't keep those dam things alive.

 
do pipe fish usually eat prepared foods? will they hunt and decimate a pod population like a madarin? what size tank is recommended with a pipe fish? id love to try one in my 60 gallon, would it be a safe try? also, whats the easier pipe fish to be successful with?
 
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