Bluestriped Pipefish

[CoralNerd]

I added two Bluestriped Pipefish hoping they would be a couple. Well it didn't work out I must have two males. I removed and rehome the less aggressive male. The male I kept has gained a significant amount of weight / size in just one month. Q: Should I add another to hopefully get the couple I set out to get?

 

[ichthyogeek]

You could, but it might be quicker to ask your LFS to get you a small group (4-5 fish), introduce them all to each other, and then figure out which fish are paired after a few months.

 

[mort]

With Bluestripes it's easy to sex them. If you look at their snout you will see some small raise lumps on the males. Females have a smooth top lip.

It's explained in this thread https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sexing-blue-stripe-pipefish.697030/

 

[Paul B]

Don't keep adding them. The males will kill each other unless very young. As was said, easy to sex. You just need good eyesight as those bumps are very small.
Here the upper male is pregnant. You can see the bumps or hooks on his snout.