Alligator Pipefish (Asia Pacific)
Pipefish are gentle fish related to seahorses. They do best in a dedicated aquarium free from boisterous or aggressive tank mates. Dragonets, seahorses, assessors, jawfish, and small gobies, blennies, and cardinals make good tank mates. We recommend avoiding hawkfish, dottybacks, angelfish, and any predatory or large mouthed species. Most pipefish are imported from the Philippines.
If given enough space pipefish do not fight amongst each other and may form pair bonds in the aquarium. Female pipefish generally have brighter and more contrasting colors than do males. If multiple fish are kept together the females may flash their colors at each other and attempt to woo a male. When breeding the female will deposit her eggs into the male's belly pouch where he carries and protects them until they hatch.
Pipefish are coral and invertebrate safe, only feeding on very small crustaceans such as copepods and minute shrimp. They prefer to eat live foods, and do not take to dry foods, so a variety of high quality meaty items should be offered such as frozen Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, Tigger pods and Calanus. Pipefish should be fed a minimum of twice daily. A well established aquarium is recommended, preferably with a refugium to aid in supplementing the main aquarium with live prey items. Pipefish feed by picking food items out of the water column in a slow and deliberate manner.
Because of the delicate nature of pipefish we recommend careful attention be paid to eliminate stinging or dangerous animals in their aquarium, such as Aiptasia and Majano anemones, rouge crabs and predatory hitch hikers, and aggressive corals such as galaxy, bubble and Euphyllia sp. to name a few.
br />The Alligator pipefish is one of the largest species available, growing up to 11 inche. Because of this it can sometimes be kept with larger tank mates than other pipefish, however all fish should be of a peaceful nature. We recommend an aquarium of at least 75 gallons. Males and females are nearly identical; however females may have more blotches on their backs, and a white zig-zag line on their belly.
The Alligator pipefish's elongated body is camouflaged to match the sea grasses it is found in the wild. Various shades of olive green, earthy brown and mustard yellow are possible, often all on a single fish. Its slender tail is prehensile and ample structures which may be used as anchor points will be appreciated, such as sea grasses, gorgonians, and Manzanita branches. Stinging corals and hydrocorals should be avoided. Oftentimes the Alligator pipefish will hang in a vertical position to better camouflage itself.
Because of the Alligator pipefish's large adult size, caution should be used if combining it with very small tank mates, as some tiny gobies, very young fish, and even the Blue Stripe pipefish are so small they may be mistaken for food.
