Smallest Tank Size for Pipefish

[agent6473]

I was wondering what your opinions are for the minimum tank size for pipefish. I would be plumbing it into my existing system (30 gal display w/ 15 gal sump), so water volume shouldn't be an issue, but what do these guys need for space?

 

[dedfish]

I guess it would depend on the type of pipefish. I just looked at 2 different ones at live aquaria and they listed 30 gallons as the min size tank. I don't have any personal experience with pipefish though.

 

[agent6473]

Anyone with experience with these guys? Do they need the space of a 30 gal? Any species that would be ok in a smaller tank?

 

[jovreef]

My ex had a pair in a 10 fuge, but they did not last long...so I'm gonna say 10 is to small They dont move much...I'm sure you could get away with a well pod populated 20 long.

 

[JustDavidP]

I've been told that some of the smaller pipes could live in my 26 bow with the seahorses. the only reason I've not done it thus far is because I personally feel that I already have a heavy fish load after putting my mandarin in that same system.

Dave

 

[Paula]

Hi -
I have a 26 bow and have 2 multi banded pipes, a bluestripe and an allegator pipe. They all get along fine, eat mysis like little piggies and they do swim around quite a bit. They really do like to hide/swim/play in the rockwork and the grass. I wouldn't put them in a smaller tank than 26.
The trick is to get them eating mysis ... the bluestripe has just started eating mysis after about 9 months of coaxing. He finally learned from watching the multibandeds.
Good luck.

 

[agent6473]

That sounds like an awesome tank Paula. I've been doing some research and noticing that the bluestripes are much smaller pipes than some of the others. I was thinking about getting a pair of them and a pair of horses in a 20 gal Xtall. Good to hear you got all yours eating mysis!

 

[Paula]

Yes the bluestripe is quite small - and it hid almost all the time. As soon as I introduced the multibandeds into the tank a while ago, the bluestripe hangs out with them constantly. It is really funny to watch the little pipe tag along with the bigger ones. The bluestripe will eat the leftover bits of mysis that the bigger pipes shred during the snicking. Between the 4 pipes and the 3 horses and one goby - it's a full tank. Awesome to watch.

 

[agent6473]

Paula,
What's the temp in your seahorse tank?

 

[Ray]

I am setting up a 54g pipefish/seahorse tank in my daughters room. I have 6 TR Reidi, 2 banded pipefish and 2 dragon pipefishcoming in for it tomorrow.

 

[Paula]

I keep my SH tank at about 77. They really do prefer a cooler tank. Some horses need even cooler than 76 .. but the Reidi and the barbours can tolerate temps of 78.
That is one reason that having them in a refugium that it plumbed into the main reef just doesn't work. They like a lower salinity and a lower temps than what our reef inhabitants require.
These are really special creatures.

 

[Bidadari]

Blue stripe pipes are known to be aggressive toward other pipes. So make sure you put them last in the tank. I rarely see my blue stripe, they really like hanging around the rockwork. They come out as soon as the light's off hunting for food.