Pipe fish lovers, Pics and a vid

[rocko918]

My many banded pipes in a 33 long with only a few snails, scarlets and a cleaner shrimp.

Here are 2 pics.

the rest of the pictures can be see here http://www.studiohbd.com/fishtanks/photos/manybandedpipefish/index.html

and the video
http://www.studiohbd.com/fishtanks/video/manybandedpipefish.mov

 

[b0bby1]

i got a couple questions for you. these are my favorite pipefish and i always have wanted to keep one.

1. do yours eat prepared foods?

2. do you think one would work in a 20 gallon reef with other fish or a 10 gallon prop. tank by itself?

3. where did you get yours?

 

[rocko918]

I have not seen them eat any prepared foods yet. I am still working on that.

I keep mine in a 33 long by themselves. The tank has been setup since feb. and has not had any fish in it for a month. I wanted the pod population to get large before i added them. I would not put them in a tank with anything that eats pods as well, they would be competing for food and most likely will lose.

I got mine from Blue Ribbon Koi which is a lfs.

I have seen them at live aquaria as well.

 

[blackwoodla]

Beautiful photos and video! :rollface:

 

[dodgersfan25]

wow, that is a high resolution video and nicely done at that. pipefish are awesome and its cool to see that yours are workin out. nice job

 

[rocko918]

thanks guys. i realized that the song finishes out even when the video is done. Should have fixed that. but oh well.

 

[Lytehouse]

Any information on keeping them in pairs or groups vs singly. Only other critters in my tank are a shy rainford's goby and sexy shrimp along with the clean up crew.

Thanks

 

[rocko918]

i would ask how big is the tank first?

 

[Lytehouse]

yeah, understand that is the first and bet question. In consideration of buying, I've been reading and don't find anything about whether they prefer to be kept in multiples. Many people seem to, in fact more than most fish. I was wondering if this is mostly because they like them so much, for breeding, or if there is information that says they are better kept in multiples.... if tank size and water conditions and feeding are all acceptable.

My current tank would obviously not handle them, but as I upgrade I would like to have information about them.

Thanks.

 

[rocko918]

I have no proof but i think keeping them in a pair would be better. I have watched them swim and interact with each other. SO i would think that would be a good sign. They hunt together as well. But again i have no proof. Why would you want only one? That would be my next question. Cost? they are not cheap but if it helps them live longer i would buy 2 over one in a heart beat. They are a very friendly fish, they don't get spooked when you get right up to the tank, so i would also say the are a social fish, meaning they like the company. again no scientific proof just my observation.

 

[Lytehouse]

Bob, Thanks. Experiential info is what I was looking for. Would prefer 2 or more. Have seen many pics of multiples in tank and they look very nice. Just hadn't been able to find anything to read on their preferences.

Agian thanks.

 

[Dyepes]

Have you considere adding a Dragonet if any fish at all? Totally passive in my experience, and I dont believe they would be really competing for food to the point where they would fight or get stressed or anything. just an idea.

 

[rssjsb]

Dragonets are passive, but would likely outcompete the pipes for pods in anything but a really large system. The result wouldn't be fighting, but could be starvation for both.

 

[Dyepes]

A 30gallon system seems large enough to accomadate both. In a system without any other single fish, the amount of rock in there should provide more than a plentiful supply of pods.

I have a 30gallon with several other fish, and the dragonet has more than enough abundance of pods. In an establsihed system these things practically breed like bacteria, and with a few safe breeding zones there should never be a problem for these three neighbors.

Thats just if you were actually considering adding a fish in there though. One dragonet is not going to suddenly dry up the tank of a live food supply with only two passive competitors.

 

[sugartooth]

Beautiful!

Rocko- Do you keep any clams w/ your pipefish? My guess would be to think it is probably not a good idea, but that's just a guess.

 

[rocko918]

no clams in there. I have heard of clams closing up on seahorses when they drag their tail over them. So i would be worried that the pipe might get too close.

But i am sure someone has a clam in with their pipes, just not me.

 

[Blugobi]

I picked up a banded pipe a about 5 weeks ago and it is now in my 120 sps tank. He/she is doing well and eats like a champ...Loves frozen mysis and cyclopeeze. I have been enriching with Vita-Chem on a weekley basis. He dose spend a lot of time hunting, but is always out at feeding time. I would like to find a partner or mate...how can I sex the one I have?...not as obvious as a sehorse. I have 5" Crocea clam in my 120 and my pipe pays it no attention....Its tank mates are...Kole Tang, Carpenters wrassse, Bullseye Manadrin, Algea Blenney and few HUGE Seahares.

 

[camaro68]

here is my pipe fish
-mandy

 

[camaro68]

ok i can't see the pic i just put up when i click on the attachment
i need help to get it to work
thanks mandy

 

[1mtnbkr1mtnbkr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10309213#post10309213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rocko918
no clams in there. I have heard of clams closing up on seahorses when they drag their tail over them. So i would be worried that the pipe might get too close.

But i am sure someone has a clam in with their pipes, just not me.

I have a pipe fish in with the clam and have not seen any problem. It's only been a week though.