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Of course these semi-seawater to freshwater "Pipes" are part of the same
family as the Seahorses, Pipefishes found in tropical and subtropical oceans
(Syngnathidae), and subfamily Syngnathinae.
Often lost due to a lack of understanding, practice in
providing them with small, appropriate live foods on a frequent basis, as much
as too little cover for them to hide, feel comfortable in and too-rambunctious a
mix of tankmates, some public aquariums and commercial concerns have "closed the
loop" with these species, raising their young and in turn spawning, rearing
progeny in turn from this generation.
Species of Use to Aquarists:
| Doryichthys boaja (Bleeker 1851), the Long-Snouted
(Freshwater) Pipefish. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and
Viet Nam. To about sixteen inches in length. Largest freshwater pipefish
species. Feeds on insects, crustaceans and worms. Aquarium pic. |
|
| Doryichthys retzi, the Shortnosed Pipefish. Southeast
Asia. |
|
| Enneacampus ansorgeii, the Congo Pipefish. West
Central Africa. |
|
| Oostethus brachyurus, the Opossum Pipefish. Southeast
U.S. |
|
| Oostethus lineatus, the Lined Pipefish. Mexico to
Brazil. |
|
| Syngnathus scovelli, the Gulf Pipefish. Gulf of
Mexico. |
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Selection
Environment
Habitat:
Not too vigorous or linear water movement, darkened/not
over-illuminated, with similar "grass like" (Zostera, Phyllospadix spp. for
example) live or faux plant cover.
Foods/Feeding/Nutrition:
At least three times daily (continuous is ideal as with a
sump, automated feeding device) with live foods of small-enough size (some
authors have utilized freshly hatched out Brine Shrimp supplemented or not) to
fit the adult fishes mouths. Juveniles need much smaller food items.
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