Adding the Banded Pipefish as a Small Yet Interesting Fish for your Tank
You will likely be familiar with the banded pipefish. It is a thin, elongated fish with white bands on its body. This is native in the Indo-Pacific area. It has lengths of up to 7 inches. It may be small and frail-looking. But do not be deceived. These fish are carnivorous in nature. Of course, it will not be able to gobble up your finger. But it feeds on small invertebrates in the sea and brine shrimp
The banded pipefish will thrive well in water temperatures of 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. You must also remember that the salinity of the water has to be at 1.020 to 1.025. The pH levels should be somewhere between 8.1 and 8.4. They are best out in medium tanks of 50 gallons to larger ones. They require some amount of light to live. The banded pipefish swims near the bed of the sea. It is cousin to the seahorse and is very peaceful in nature. It has a very interesting feeding requirement that you have to take note of. It is normally interested in live copepods. However, as mentioned earlier it can feed on some brine shrimp. You have to notice that it can only feed on tiny creatures since it has a thin tubular mouth.
Another interesting aspect of the banded pipefish is their courtship dance. It is a wonder to be able to witness the manner of the female attaching her eggs to the flat side of the male. If you have a pair in an aquarium, they will regularly mate if you feed them well.
Saltwater Aquarium Pipe Fish
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