Dwarf Seahorse / Mandarin / Pipfish Tank

[lynn.reef.nerd]

Good morning,

I just received a 20 gal AOI tank from a buddy.

I'm still trying to figure out what I would like to do with it. My thought is to have it be a dwarf seahorse tank.

Possibly add a pair of mandarin or pipefish in the future.

I breed my own copepods, so food access is not an issue.

Any tips and concerns would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have not kept them, but a buddy of mine has in the past. Hardest part he said was keeping clean and feeding. Good luck! I think that type of tank would be cool.

 

[Matt Bravo]

This one’s probably obvious but imma say it anyway

Make sure it’s lower flow since they aren’t the greatest of swimmers

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

This one’s probably obvious but imma say it anyway

Make sure it’s lower flow since they aren’t the greatest of swimmers

I was going to stick with just the return. Hoping that is not too bad and enough.

 

[dennis romano]

What kind of pipefish? Some are easy while others are next to impossible.

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

What kind of pipefish? Some are easy while others are next to impossible.

Haven't done any research on them yet. Just at thought at the moment.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I think Biota has a captive bred one now.

 

[Biota_Marine]

I think Biota has a captive bred one now.

We do have captive bred Blue Stripe pipefish right now, these guys have been pretty cool to watch. They're around the size of a toothpick. We also have seahorses and mandarins.

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

We do have captive bred Blue Stripe pipefish right now, these guys have been pretty cool to watch. They're around the size of a toothpick. We also have seahorses and mandarins.

Oh wow, that one is really awesome looking. How easy are they to keep?

 

[Biota_Marine]

Oh wow, that one is really awesome looking. How easy are they to keep?

The only downside is they are on the tinier side for pipefish so the flow does need to be low but they're eating really well with Frozen Hikari baby brine and even picking at some of the pellets from the other fish we're keeping with them.

 

[bluemon]

I kept quite a few for years in a 5 gallon. (more than ten years ago)

It was my first foray into saltwater tanks and a hard one at that because dwarfs are quite difficult especially in such a small tank.

You definitely have the basics of husbandry down it seems as feeding it is probably the hardest/most tedious.

But I would like to caution you as you need to have a almost fully sterile tank as hydroids can be deadly even to the adult horses. Especially since it is going to be a heavy feeding system.

I started mine from all dry rocks, and only added macro and later a few zoas I knew were clean.

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

The only downside is they are on the tinier side for pipefish so the flow does need to be low but they're eating really well with Frozen Hikari baby brine and even picking at some of the pellets from the other fish we're keeping with them.

Would RFAs be ok with mandarins & pipefish?

Are we able to request a pair of pipefish or are they too young to distinguist gender?

 

[Biota_Marine]

Would RFAs be ok with mandarins & pipefish?

Are we able to request a pair of pipefish or are they too young to distinguist gender?

Unfortunately there aren't any anemones safe with seahorses or pipefish. Euphyllia and other stinging corals are also risky.

The captive bred Bluestripe Pipefish are too young at this point to sex.

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

Unfortunately there aren't any anemones safe with seahorses or pipefish. Euphyllia and other stinging corals are also risky.

The captive bred Bluestripe Pipefish are too young at this point to sex.

What # would you recommend to get for the pipefish?
I would like a pair at least or a harem (??) if possible.

 

[Biota_Marine]

What # would you recommend to get for the pipefish?
I would like a pair at least or a harem (??) if possible.

The males are very territorial, so it's best to have a single or a pair. If you want to try multiples, have a backup plan ready for the future when they mature - either a separate safe tank to transfer aggressors, or a friend you can donate one to.

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

The males are very territorial, so it's best to have a single or a pair. If you want to try multiples, have a backup plan ready for the future when they mature - either a separate safe tank to transfer aggressors, or a friend you can donate one to.

I would really like a male/female pair but since they can't be sex at the age, I'm not sure how to go about the # to get.

 

[GiveMeanF]

Good morning,

I just received a 20 gal AOI tank from a buddy.

I'm still trying to figure out what I would like to do with it. My thought is to have it be a dwarf seahorse tank.

Possibly add a pair of mandarin or pipefish in the future.

I breed my own copepods, so food access is not an issue.

Any tips and concerns would be appreciated. Thank you!

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