yellow banded pipefish ( Doryrhamphus pessuliferus )

Scientific Name : Doryrhamphus pessuliferus

Reef Compatible Yes

Care Level Expert-only

Disposition Peaceful

Min. Tank Size 30 gallons

Mature Size 7.5 inches

Diet Carnivore

Range Indo-Pacific

Range Western Central Pacific

Other Common Names

Ringed Pipefish, Dagum-dagum

General Description

The yellow banded pipefish frequently inhabits muddy substrate adjacent to large coral heads in deep water, although it is not uncommon to see them in shallow estuaries as well. A member of the Family Syngnathidae, the yellow banded pipefish is closely related to seahorses. In the wild, this pipefish is an active cleaner fish but is best kept in a species tank in captivity. Most captive pipefish mortality is a direct result of starvation.

Husbandry Concerns

Although pipefishes are somewhat tolerant of varying water conditions, it is best to provide them with a stable environment. Plan on a mature tank (at least several months old)of at least 30 gallons with plenty of live rock, and be sure NOT to create too much water flow (one of the reasons the yellow banded pipefish is found at depth is because it likes water less impacted by wave action). A reef tank with coral and marine plants is ideal, as it will provide the pipefish with plenty of cover. This is a peaceful animal and is best kept with other peaceful animals or, even better, in a species tank.

This species may attempt to breed in captivity. They are ovoviviparous animals, meaning that the eggs are carried in a brood chamber, which is found under the male's tail.

Diet

Most captive mortality of pipefishes is the direct result of starvation. As such, a mature refugium and plenty of live rock is recommended in order to insure a healthy and near-constant source of live food. In addition, plan to aquaculture other live foods such as mysids. There are cases where pipefish can be weaned onto a captive diet of meaty foods, but unfortunately this is the exception rather than the rule.

Only keep the yellow banded pipefish in either a very peaceful reef tank, a species tank, or a tank with with seahorses.

Reef Compatible Yes

Care Level Expert-only

Disposition Peaceful

Min. Tank Size 30 gallons

Mature Size 7.5 inches

Diet Carnivore

Range Indo-Pacific

Range Western Central Pacific

Other Common Names

Ringed Pipefish, Dagum-dagum

General Description

The yellow banded pipefish frequently inhabits muddy substrate adjacent to large coral heads in deep water, although it is not uncommon to see them in shallow estuaries as well. A member of the Family Syngnathidae, the yellow banded pipefish is closely related to seahorses. In the wild, this pipefish is an active cleaner fish but is best kept in a species tank in captivity. Most captive pipefish mortality is a direct result of starvation.

Husbandry Concerns

Although pipefishes are somewhat tolerant of varying water conditions, it is best to provide them with a stable environment. Plan on a mature tank (at least several months old)of at least 30 gallons with plenty of live rock, and be sure NOT to create too much water flow (one of the reasons the yellow banded pipefish is found at depth is because it likes water less impacted by wave action). A reef tank with coral and marine plants is ideal, as it will provide the pipefish with plenty of cover. This is a peaceful animal and is best kept with other peaceful animals or, even better, in a species tank.

This species may attempt to breed in captivity. They are ovoviviparous animals, meaning that the eggs are carried in a brood chamber, which is found under the male's tail.

Diet

Most captive mortality of pipefishes is the direct result of starvation. As such, a mature refugium and plenty of live rock is recommended in order to insure a healthy and near-constant source of live food. In addition, plan to aquaculture other live foods such as mysids. There are cases where pipefish can be weaned onto a captive diet of meaty foods, but unfortunately this is the exception rather than the rule.

Only keep the yellow banded pipefish in either a very peaceful reef tank, a species tank, or a tank with with seahorses.