Update:
THe pipefish are still doing well in my tank, but they were unable to keep up with the redbugs. I ended up dosing interceptor three times to eradicate the redbugs, and (knock on wood) haven't seen any since. I seeded my fuge with some pod filled chaeto from a buddies tank in case I wiped my pod population with the interceptor and had no problems with them or my mandarin. They seem to be much more active now that they're settled in the tank and nothing seems to bother them, including a clarkii that bullies nearly everything I put in the tank. Their favorite spot seems to be sitting on a frag rack, or wrapping their tails around astae snails on the back glass and picking the pods off the glass, but it's amazing how well they blend into the sandbed. Despite the yellow blotches on their body, they can be right in front of your face on the sand and you won't see them which has led me to believe I lost them a couple times.
