Banded Pipefish

The banded pipefish is a slender, elongated fish from the same family as seahorses (Syngnathidae). Its body is covered with red and white-to-yellowish rings, and its small fan-shaped tail is red with a white edge and white dots in the center. In the wild it swims in caves and under overhangs, sometimes upside down near the cave ceiling; it has also been seen cleaning other fish. Specimens are wild-collected; because it is difficult to feed, it is suited to experienced hobbyists.

• At least 120 liters; a mature aquarium that has been running for at least 6 months, with live rock full of copepods.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Caves, shaded overhangs and gentle flow; filter intakes must be guarded.
• Reef-safe; it should be kept away from stinging corals and anemones.

Carnivorous. In the wild it eats copepods and small crustaceans. In the aquarium it needs live copepods, enriched live brine shrimp and, over time, small frozen mysis and cyclops; small meals at least 3 times a day are necessary.

Peaceful and shy; it loses the competition for food to fast fish. In the wild it is seen in pairs; as in seahorses, the male carries the eggs.

Good companions: Small calm gobies, cardinalfish, nerite snails, non-stinging corals.

Avoid: Fast and greedy fish, wrasses, dottybacks, pufferfish and triggerfish, anemones.