Potential Pipefish Set-up

[Alesia]

Hi all! I'm looking for some info on whether my upcoming tank would be suitable for a pair of pipefish.

I'm setting up a 22g CADlights tank with a built-in refugium. I'm planning to add 25-30 pounds of live rock, 1.5" live sand bed, and the temp should stay around 78 degrees (if my other tank is any indication.) Ideally I would like to keep a Randall's goby/pistol shrimp pair and some easy, non-aggressive corals. I understand that even photosynthetic gorgonians can be problematic, but they are also on my "wish list" to include in the tank.

Does this sound like a good set-up for a pair of blue stripe pipefish? Would the goby pose any sort of problem? I would be waiting several months at least to ensure the pod population is up, but I would definitely prefer pipefish that are eating frozen/prepared foods (if I have to look for a LONG time, so be it!) Are there any other species of pipefish that would do well in a smaller reef tank? Are pipefish (particularly blue stripes) fairly active in the water column or will they spend most of their time "sitting" among the rocks? Do they require hitching spots like seahorses?

These are beautiful fish, I want to make sure that I can provide for them properly if I decide to track down a pair.

Thanks!

 

[fishyvet]

blue stripe pipes do not hitch. Mine is on constant patrol for pods and prefers to scrounge the rock and caves I made for her rather than swim in the open water. I think a blue line is your best bet in a tank that size, but you still may have problems with your pod population (mine nearly cleaned out a 55 fuge along with a janns pipe in a couple of weeks). Mine has never converted over to prepared foods but I have heard a few people on here have had success. You will need to be very patient to find one that takes frozen food right off the bat.

IME tank mates tend to ignore pipes. The only concern is if they will compete for the pods. I haven't had any problems with my pipes and aggressive corals/anemones, they seem to know to avoid them. Not that I would advocate adding something that could harm the pipe, but I have no idea why a gorgonian wouldn't be okay (perhaps someone else could chime in).

When you pick out your pipes, make sure you don't end up with two males (they will fight). The males have serrations on their snout if you look closely while the female's snout is smooth.

 

[Alesia]

Thank you for the information!

 

[rssjsb]

What he said. I would also avoid putting two females together in your tank without a male. These fish are reported to prefer harems (one male and up to 5 females), but my experience (and that of others) is that two females alone together will eventually be one female.

Also, gorgonians are fine as long as you can care for them. As fishyvet said, bluestripes are found on the reef and don't seem to be bothered by corals. I had my pair in a 20 gallon tank with a tapetum maxi-mini carpet anemone for a long time before I got nervous and moved it to another tank. Not something I would recommend, but they never went near it.