Pipefish Tank

Pianoman · Mar 13, 2009

Well ever since I started the hobby Pipefish and Seahorses always were my favorite. I never have had time to get into them or keep some so I got some questions.

1) Would a 10-20g -Tall- tank work?

2) Do they like really clean water or okay water?

3) What should I do for circulation?

4) Anyone know any good but cheap online vendors that sell Pipefish?

5) What is a good beginner Pipefish?

6) Could I do corals with them?

7) Seahorses too?

8) Food?

9) Lights?

10) Substrate?

11) Lifespan?

12) Do they need to be fed every day or every other?

Thanks,
Pianoman

Pianoman · Mar 13, 2009

So no one keeps Pipefish?

turbois300 · Mar 13, 2009

It's been talked about before. If not here elsewhere. I have researched doing a pipefish tank and where it isn't quite as tough as a seahourse tank can be, it has it's own set of issues. Also depends on the type of pipefish. They are pod eaters and unless you have a huge fuge or a really well macro'd marine tank to keep the pod population up, you will have to get them used to preparred foods. I'm not sure but temp is an issue (sometimes) with seahorses. Not so sure about pipes..

keep searching around the forums. There is a ton of info out there.

SaraB · Mar 13, 2009

Here's another thread from today that people are talking about pipefish in as well ... some have kept them before so hopefully they can comment:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18944

rocko918 · Mar 13, 2009

I have kept both Pipes and horses. I have kept 3 different types of pipes. None of them lasted more than a year. I had them eating frozen mysid as well. I don't recommend them anymore as their lifespan in out tanks is not long. Some have kept them long term but most lose them.

Horses are a better option, there are captive bred horses that last a long time and you can even breed them. Most require to be feed 2x a day. You can get away with once a day but they will not be as healthy. I have breed some a couple of times, it just required more time than i wanted to commit.

Hope that helps.

ahayes13 · Mar 14, 2009

i think the tank size you mention will be fine. dont have a recommendation on flow except that it should be low flow. you should not put corals in the tank, as their polyps and tentacles could hurt the seahorses or pipefish. you could do both seahorses and pipefish in one tank and try that. if you do put pipefish in the tank you should make sure you have overhangs and lil caves for them.
you should do gorgonias though for the seahorses to wrap on. if you do a seahorse tank with the gorgonias i would say power compacts would be fine. too high of a light will burn most gorgonias. i would feed them a few times a day, that seems to be the general recommendation.
this is just some general info. i found online for you.

stylaster · Mar 14, 2009

as a personal observation, when i was in fiji i saw pipe fish in shallow water (5' deep) among coral rubble and seagrass beds. There where a few scattered corals, mostly montipora and a couple acropora.

Psychographic · Mar 14, 2009

Pianoman said:
Well ever since I started the hobby Pipefish and Seahorses always were my favorite. I never have had time to get into them or keep some so I got some questions.

1) Would a 10-20g -Tall- tank work?

2) Do they like really clean water or okay water?

3) What should I do for circulation?

4) Anyone know any good but cheap online vendors that sell Pipefish?

5) What is a good beginner Pipefish?

6) Could I do corals with them?

7) Seahorses too?

8) Food?

9) Lights?

10) Substrate?

11) Lifespan?

12) Do they need to be fed every day or every other?

Thanks,
Pianoman

1> Too small for almost all but the bluestripes, they stay about 3", I would go with at least 36" of length on the tank.

2> As long as you are in reasonable parameters.

3> Low to medium flow for all but DFP's, they tend to hug the surface of rock.

4> The Drs., but to be honest, every LFS by me sells them for the same price as online.

5> DFP

6> Non stinging, for the most part.

7> It's been done, but due to the immunity of the SH's, it is not advised.

8> Pods, Mysis, small meaty stuff. I know it's rare, but I have a dFP that eats flake.

9> Any (without extemes)

10> I honestly think it does'nt matter.

11> Again, I honestly don't know, I have a banded and a DFP for at leat 18 months now.

12> I think you could get away with every other day.