Dragonface Pipefish: Experiences in a Reef Tank?

[Biokabe]

I'm the process of restocking my reef tank. I've always had a fondness for unusual critters and eel-like fishes, and I just saw that my LFS is getting a pair of dragonface pipefish in. I've heard mixed noises about pipefish in reef tanks, what are the challenges? What do I need to watch out for? How likely am I to experience heartbreak with them? What tank mates would I need to avoid if I have them?

So to give some actual concrete details - my tank is 90g, 4' x 18" x 24". Lots of rockwork, though I'll likely be adding even more in the near future. It's a mixed reef with high flow and bright lights. Currently only four fish in the tank: A melanurus wrasse, a one-spot foxface, a mandarin goby and a Molly Miller blenny. A mixture of corals - softies, LPS, sticks. The pod population is through the roof right now - I see pods on the tank walls during the day. I feed mostly a mix of freeze-dried foods through my Plank - dried mysis, copepod powder, along with TDO pellets.

FTS below:

No predators in the tank and that will continue to be the case - I value the tranquility of the reef, and I value my wife not being traumatized by watching tank inhabitants murder each other.

Future stocking plans include anthias, gobies, Chrysiptera damsels, a genicanthus angel, and a variety of wrasses. Exact fish aren't nailed down, so if there are any in those groups that wouldn't play well with a pipefish, please let me know.

 

[MoshJosh]

I currently have one in my mixed reef, but only had for a few days so I'll let you know. Everything seems to leave it alone, including my 6- line which aggressively chased other new additions. Awesome little fish! I see it "hunting" and picking at rocks, I assume it is after pods given they are known to eat other tiny crustaceans. Question is if this diet is sustainable long term or if it is eating prepared foods? I broadcast feed and the pipefish comes or with the others but given it's tiny mouth it is hard to see if it's actually getting anything. I will keep an eye out next time I feed.

Does not seem to mind high flow or high lights, and sometimes will swim directly in front of my wave maker.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

I'm the process of restocking my reef tank. I've always had a fondness for unusual critters and eel-like fishes, and I just saw that my LFS is getting a pair of dragonface pipefish in. I've heard mixed noises about pipefish in reef tanks, what are the challenges? What do I need to watch out for? How likely am I to experience heartbreak with them? What tank mates would I need to avoid if I have them?

So to give some actual concrete details - my tank is 90g, 4' x 18" x 24". Lots of rockwork, though I'll likely be adding even more in the near future. It's a mixed reef with high flow and bright lights. Currently only four fish in the tank: A melanurus wrasse, a one-spot foxface, a mandarin goby and a Molly Miller blenny. A mixture of corals - softies, LPS, sticks. The pod population is through the roof right now - I see pods on the tank walls during the day. I feed mostly a mix of freeze-dried foods through my Plank - dried mysis, copepod powder, along with TDO pellets.

FTS below:

No predators in the tank and that will continue to be the case - I value the tranquility of the reef, and I value my wife not being traumatized by watching tank inhabitants murder each other.

Future stocking plans include anthias, gobies, Chrysiptera damsels, a genicanthus angel, and a variety of wrasses. Exact fish aren't nailed down, so if there are any in those groups that wouldn't play well with a pipefish, please let me know.

Pretty cool fish. A group of them in a reef tank would be interesting, especially if they spawned!

Dragonface Pipefish: Saltwater Aquarium Fish

 

[twentyleagues]

I had 2 years ago in my 120 euphyllia dom tank. Ran 2-250w mh and 4 t5 so it was pretty bright flow was not super high though. They did well. Never saw them eat anything prepared but hunted pods most of the day. I eventually put them in my display fuge. In the 120 there were a few wrasses, purple tang, mimic tang, pair of watanabe angels and a mandarin no one bothered them.

 

[Viridis]

They are pretty easy imo. I had one for a couple years in a 10 gallon with a sponge filter (yes I'm serious, no i absolutely wouldn't recommend it. it was an emergency situation that turned semi-permanent) before being moved to a bigger system. Just need to make sure they get enough food.

 

[Nordy]

I kept one in my first tank, I had a pair, one died, second lasted a year or so more. They are neat for sure! Not sure about a Molly Miller with one, I’ve read the lawnmower is a bad idea, and don’t overstock. Keep the competing fish to the foods they require on the lower side. Gentle flow is good where they reside.

 

[Paul B]

One of my favorite fish but hard to keep for their lifespan. They eat more than a mandarin and even in my 50 year old tank, don't find enough food to keep them for a year. I suppliment with live baby brine but with constant eating, they still don't seem to get enough. Mandarins, ruby reds and all other pod eaters, I can keep forever. But these are tough

You can see my last one here with the pumps off eating brine. I probably had half a dozen of them.

 

[MoshJosh]

My original is still alive (though only been in my tank for 5 months) but all attempts to add a second/form a pair have failed. 3 males have died in the tank so I am giving up on adding another. . . Given what @Paul B said, its probably for the best I stop trying!

 

[Biokabe]

Yeah, I started off with two. The larger of the pair seems to have vanished and is likely no longer with us... the smaller is still around and going strong. So I'll likely just keep it at the single.

 

[Kasrift]

One of my favorite fish but hard to keep for their lifespan. They eat more than a mandarin and even in my 50 year old tank, don't find enough food to keep them for a year. I suppliment with live baby brine but with constant eating, they still don't seem to get enough. Mandarins, ruby reds and all other pod eaters, I can keep forever. But these are tough

You can see my last one here with the pumps off eating brine. I probably had half a dozen of them.

Interesting to know. I have one mandarin in my 200g with two yellow banded pipefish from biota, pink streaked wrasse and a leopard as pod hunters. I was going to add a dragon faced pipe too, but probably not now. Luckily my mandarin and pipes eat frozen.