Pipefish ID?

PicassoClown04 · May 28, 2020

I was snorkeling in Destin, Florida and managed to catch some pipefish and would love to keep them. Can someone help me ID them? I believe they might be chain pipefish but I’m not sure. Thanks!

PicassoClown04 · May 28, 2020

Forgot to mention, there’s a black baby one on the top of the water kinda. Don’t know if that helps or not. There’s 3 adults and one baby, adults are probably 3-5 inches

F i s h y · May 28, 2020

Look most like chain, but I also see the gulf pipefish looks similar.

PicassoClown04 · May 28, 2020

Fishy65 said:
Look most like chain, but I also see the gulf pipefish looks similar.

Thank you! Does anyone know if there are specific requirements for this species or if they’re just kind of like general pipefish rules? Also, do you need a lid to keep pipefish?

F i s h y · May 28, 2020

@Ron Reefman can you help? I know you are from Southern Florida. Also any restrictions on collecting for hobbyists. It appears there are required commercial licenses.

Ron Reefman · May 28, 2020

For a few pipe fish only a valid Florida Saltwater fishing license or to be 65 year or older.

I can't ID them, sorry. But I have collected pipe fish here. The ones I've had are just outside estuary type environments and they are much like dwarf seahorses. They do not swim after food much. Food has to come to them and then they will take it. So it involves running a fairly dirty tank, i.e. lots of food when feeding. Then a healthy water change. Mote Marine had a tank of them and did an 80% water change twice a day 30 minutes after feeding!

PicassoClown04 · May 28, 2020

Ron Reefman said:
For a few pipe fish only a valid Florida Saltwater fishing license or to be 65 year or older.

I can't ID them, sorry. But I have collected pipe fish here. The ones I've had are just outside estuary type environments and they are much like dwarf seahorses. They do not swim after food much. Food has to come to them and then they will take it. So it involves running a fairly dirty tank, i.e. lots of food when feeding. Then a healthy water change. Mote Marine had a tank of them and did an 80% water change twice a day 30 minutes after feeding!

Thank you so much! Stupid question, but what do pipefish eat? I found them in a heavily algaed/sea grass area so are they herbivores or do they eat brine shrimp?