Rock nem ate TWO pipefish in a week

Monkeytank · Feb 7, 2018

A few days ago I found a pipefish stuck head first in my large rock nem I have had for years. It was sticking straight out like an arrow. I pulled him out, but it was too late. I thought maybe the pipefish died and was caught as he floated by. I bought a replacement pipefish yesterday.

Tonight I came in and saw just an inch or so of my pipefish's mouth sticking out. Checkout the picture. The other picture is all that was left. It could be that both pipefish died and got caught, but I'm pretty certain that nem is a killer. I moved him into my big display tank where there are no small fish.

I'm blown away. I sure didn't see this coming.

HmoneyReefOkc · Feb 8, 2018

I’d lean towards they died and the flower nem is lucky. OR, they were dying and nem got lucky.

Zack K · Feb 11, 2018

I’m sorry for your loses. Unfortunately this is why everywhere you read about pipefish, they are not supposed to be kept with and stinging corals and Especially Anemones. Due to the fact that they move slowly, and flow with the current, they can drift into these corals/Anemones. Once the Anemone zapped it, it was game over for the pipefish.

-Zack