Solenostomus Pipefish questions

[Northwest_Scapes_]

So I have a chance to possibly get a Robust Ghost Pipefish and a smaller chance at getting a Harlequin Ghost pipefish, but being rare and not often seen there isn't much info on them, has anyone kept them before and can answer a couple questions?

•How big of a tank do they need? Looking at videos they dont seem to move much but the Robust Ghost Pipes look to be the biggest at 6.7in, would they be smaller in captivity?
•What do they eat? Looking at a video of someone who had a Harlequin in a store it seems like they eat live and can be trained onto frozen, how easy was it to train them onto frozen?

I'll only be going with 1 If everything works out, and they would be in a Macro Algae Tank, which seems to be there natural range anyways. Thanks!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have had both species. My longevity record was 4 hours for the ornate and two days for the robusts. I won’t try them again. Don’t have them shipped to you, if the dealer gets one in locally and it’s eating, then maybe? They ship poorly and tend to get air bubbles stuck in their snouts. We had live mysids of all sizes to feed them, and had both species of sea dragon, they were easier (grin).
Jay

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

I have had both species. My longevity record was 4 hours for the ornate and two days for the robusts. I won’t try them again. Don’t have them shipped to you, if the dealer gets one in locally and it’s eating, then maybe? They ship poorly and tend to get air bubbles stuck in their snouts. We had live mysids of all sizes to feed them, and had both species of sea dragon, they were easier (grin).
Jay

Ah, Thank you Jay! I had my suspicions there isn't much info out there because there isn't a ton of success. I'll just stick to my Blue Stripes

 

[ThePurple12]

Bluestripes are the best! You won't regret.

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

Bluestripes are the best! You won't regret.

I've heard! I'm trying to get a Captive Bred one from Seahorse Savvy since they seem like the only one who sells them, im hoping being captive bred, having live bbs on hand, and being in a Macro Algae environment it should do well