Blue striped pipefish owners???

[Anonymous]

Hey all,
I'm trying to find out as much info as possible on Doryrhamphus excisus, the blue striped pipefish. I'm setting up an SPS tank that is around 8-10 gallons, and I think 2 would fit in well if I can get an eating pair. They only get about 3" max size, so I think the bioload would be OK. I'm more concerned about feeding, swimming room, etc. Am I insane to try and keep these?

 

[Anonymous]

I can't remember if Righty has one or not.. shoot, /me needs a picture book.

 

[Tackett]

Am I insane to try and keep these?

IMO yes
Ive never seen one eat. Ever.
I know the temptation though bud, Ive always wanted a blue ribbon eel, but ive never seen one of those eat either so I gave it up. If you can get them eating, more power to you, but you might be setting yourself up for a heartbreaker and mr. blueline will never know what its like to frolic with the Mrs. blueline.

 

[Anonymous]

I had two for a long time, then lost one. Tried to get it a friend and they didn't get along. Still have the one going on 3 years - it eats cyclop eeze and frozen mysids that stay in the water column because of the water flow.

 

[Anonymous]

Am I insane to try and keep these?

IMO yes
Ive never seen one eat. Ever.
I know the temptation though bud, Ive always wanted a blue ribbon eel, but ive never seen one of those eat either so I gave it up. If you can get them eating, more power to you, but you might be setting yourself up for a heartbreaker and mr. blueline will never know what its like to frolic with the Mrs. blueline.

Well from what I've read in books and online they're not all that hard to feed, as far as pipefish go. I also know a guy locally that has kept one for at least a year (Rich, you may have met him at the meeting, Dan Garcia).

 

[Anonymous]

I had two for a long time, then lost one. Tried to get it a friend and they didn't get along. Still have the one going on 3 years - it eats cyclop eeze and frozen mysids that stay in the water column because of the water flow.

So, conspecific aggression is an issue here, if I understand you correctly. In that big tank, too.. wow.

 

[wade1]

I had 2 flame pipes... in a dedicated seahorse tank and they never ate either. One died within a couple days, the other within 2 weeks... looked healthy enough, but never once made a move to eat.

 

[Anonymous]

Righty's (if it's the fish I'm thinking of) was fat like a little torpedo.

 

[Anonymous]

They're very aggressive to conspecifics apparently. They can be sexed, but I guess it's hard, something to do with their mouth shape. I see them in groups ocassionally at the wholesaler, so those must be a male-several females match. I think I'm going to give them a try, see if they eat at the wholesaler. I'll have to bring some baby brine with me or maybe frozen mysids