Pregnant Pipefish

GlassMunky · Dec 7, 2014

I just noticed yesterday that my Banded Pipefish (Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus) is holding a clutch of eggs on his belly. :)
Just figured i would share with you guys. :)

Solwolf45 · Dec 7, 2014

Thats so awsome o.o how long will it take for the eggs to hatch?

GlassMunky · Dec 7, 2014

I have no idea..... its been hard to find much info related to this species. most things im finding are about seahorses.
But from what ive read im guessing somewhere between 1-2 weeks. Apparently the time it take varies from species to species and also depends on the age of the pipefish as well as the temp of the water. They also give live birth if im correct, but the parents will hunt the newborns as food.

I dont think im up and ready to try and raise this batch, but if they continue to breed i will try on one of the next batches.

Solwolf45 · Dec 7, 2014

That sucks you cant find the info for them. But hey, even if you dont keep this batch, at least you have a breeding pair! What size tank do you keep them in? (Im really new to the saltwater aspect of the aquarist hobby, i dont even have my own saltwater tank yet XD)

GlassMunky · Dec 7, 2014

They are in my 40Breeder Fuge tank which is tied into my 90G SPS display tank. Both share a common 30G sump.
They love it in the fuge, Tons of places to hide and lots of macro algae to peruse for pods :)

Solwolf45 · Dec 7, 2014

Lol. Im really knew to the abbreviated talk on the forums. Could you elaborate on fuge and tied together tanks lol ( and other stuff too lol)? Im actually quite interested in keeping pipefish now at some point, youve piqued my interests :D

SeahorseKeeper · Dec 7, 2014

That's awesome!

NanaReefer · Dec 8, 2014

Sweet!!! Paul B knows his Pipe Fish, might wanna drop him a pm if ya got any questions.

mfinn · Dec 8, 2014

I agree, this is awesome.

vlangel · Dec 8, 2014

That is very cool. I have 2 banded pipefish as well that I got from Ocean Rider. Is that where yours came from? I was just wondering if I can have hope that mine might breed!

GlassMunky · Dec 9, 2014

no idea who or what Ocean Rider is.......
I got these from one of my local Fish Stores here by Philly.

vlangel · Dec 9, 2014

Ocean Rider is a breeding facility in Hawaii for captive bred seahorses, pipefish, and a few other marine fishes. Thanks for the info, I won't hold my breath about raising any pipefish.

GlassMunky · Dec 9, 2014

Oh, yea..... These guys were wild collected i believe.....

vlangel · Dec 9, 2014

In a way, that makes it all the more impressive that they bred in your tank! I am guessing you would want to set up a kreisel model nursery like what is used for seahorses and feed copepods and rotifer as a first food, should you ever want to try and raise them. I am raising baby seahorses right now and it's a lot of work!

GlassMunky · Dec 9, 2014

Yea, i dont think i woukd try raising them this first batch. Im not ready lol.
But if they keep breeding in there, i feel like i will try in the future.
Gotta do alot more reading and preparing first