Pipe fish reef safe?

[Mikenroe]

Is there a pipe fish that I could keep in my mixed reef? I would like to keep one or two, so any suggestions would be great. However I know that with the high current we need to keep reef aquariums, that might not be possible.

 

[GriffinMarsh]

Dragonface pipefish are probably one of the best if its going to be a peaceful tank. What size is the tank in question?

 

[Mikenroe]

Griffeymarsh" my tank info is at the bottom of my thread, however I have a 160 plus a refugium/sump. A your thinking a dragon face is the best bet. I'll check them out.

 

[GriffinMarsh]

I did notice your tank info, but always good to double check. Yes I think drangonface are one of the best.

 

[Mikenroe]

Thank you GriffinMarsh

 

[laga77]

Pipefish are reef safe, just make sure the reef is safe for the pipefish. If you have any large LPS or NPS, they could very easily get a hold of the pipefish and kill it.

 

[GriffinMarsh]

Pipefish are reef safe, just make sure the reef is safe for the pipefish. If you have any large LPS or NPS, they could very easily get a hold of the pipefish and kill it.

I absolutely agree with this statement. I have had friends report disappearing pipefish in tanks heavily stocked with LPS. While we have never seen a body the suspects seem to be the very large polyped stonies. Also watch out for large corallimorphs such as the elephant ear mushroom. Ive seen one of those guys eat a hippo tang, so I bet larger rhodactis could take out a small pipe.

 

[ThRoewer]

In my experience blue stripes are the best pipefish for a mixed reef tank. I never lost one to inverts or anemones. Females and pairs are more outgoing than single males.

 

[iluvmyfishes]

Be careful about overflows and power head openings. If you get one too small he could get sucked in to a skimmer.