mini pipefish ID

[Flamehawk]

Anyone up to the challenge on this one? I got all 4 of these guys a couple days ago from my wholesaler. They are supposed to be from the pacific and was told that they usually come in this size (2.5-2").

I have them in one of my prop tanks that has been setup with only live rock and chaeto for a few months and no other fish before these guys.
They seem to be doing well, hunting and not fighting. Would like some info on what they eat, etc just so I can be sure they are getting everything they need out of the tank.

I had some minibars a few years ago, but they fought a lot and finally a hurricane wiped them out.

Enjoy the pics!

Morgan

 

[KUDA]

Those aren't pipefish, but urchin clingfish. I have always wanted a few, but my lfs hasn't ever gotten any in.

Here they are on LiveAquaria
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1483&N=0

 

[Flamehawk]

Thanks, that's great! Yeah, they are so cool and I can't stop watching them. Its perfect because they are so small that my 33 long seems huge to them. ;]

 

[rssjsb]

I love these fish, but the success rate with them is rare, I think.

Most report difficulty finding something that they'll eat. I had one and tried everything, including live brine and mysis, but the only thing he ever seemed interested in were the bubbles on the heater. He eventually wasted away, which I think is all too common.

Your tank is kind of small for this, but might want to think about putting a small diademma longspine urchin in there with them. They've got a commensal relationship in nature.

 

[Flamehawk]

Yeah, I put a sea urchin in there today and they looked interested. I would tend to think that live brine and mysis is too large for them to eat. I intend to put a few more urchins in there since they eat urchin feet and probably some starfish too.

Once its setup I will transfer them to my acro tank because they eat parasitic sps bivalves. There's a lot of established microfuana in the tank I have them in and they appear to be hunting/eating.

I've always had success with a lot of creatures that most people can't keep. Had a flame scallop for 3+ years until an anemone sat on it. I'll keep my fingers crossed and let you know if they make it.

Cheers,
Morgan

 

[mollymonticello]

I agree. Yellow striped clingfish.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1483

 

[Flamehawk]

They are definately eating the sea urchin feet and will get a few more tomorrow so the one doesn't get munched up. Poor sea urchin, but that's the way it goes. I don't feel sorry for the live shrimp I feed my radiata. lol

 

[kmduty]

Beautiful

 

[Muhammad Saad]

nice pipe fish

 

[Flamehawk]

Well Eeny, meeny, miny, and sally are doing well. hehe

I thot the 4th one might have died since I didn't see it for a day, but he was out and about yesterday. Two of the clingfish are about 2.5 and the other two are about 2.25".

I introduced two more sea urchins on Thurs, one is a regular coffee colored one and the other is a pink decorator urchin. The younger clingfish have really been whaling on the darker urchins, but haven't taken much of an interest in the lighter urchin yet. I may have to get a few more urchins and switch them out so they dont end up footless, because these clingfish are at the urchins all day long. hehe

I also put 7 different acros in the tank. The larger clingfish have been poking around in these, a few of my smooth acro crabs have been growling at them for it tho. I'll be really happy when my new sps tank is cycled because I have some large mother colonies that they'll love to go into.

I'm really pleased with these little guys because they seem to be pretty smart and strong swimmers for such small fish. I have two powerheads in this tank and I was concerned at first about them getting sucked in, but they've even sat near the strainers and nothing has happened.

Its so neat to watch them sit down in groups. They are a little aggressive towards each other, but not in a physical way like the pipefish I had in the past are. I'm glad I went ahead and got all four because they appear to be pretty social. I'm sure my urchins aren't happy tho. lol

I was wondering how these would mix with other fish. I have a few mild tempered fairy wrasses that I wanted to put into my sps tank as well. Most likely my red tail wrasse, exquisite, and female scotts. This is a 2x2' tank. Yes/no?

Will keep you guys updated down the road.

Morgan