Bluestripe Pipefish EXPERT ONLY

Bluestripe Pipefish is the smallest of the reef pipefishes that are available for aquariums. It is a long, slim body, with a small, tubular mouth, and a round flag-like tail. The body is colored orange and has stripes of blue on either side, running from the snout down to the tail. The tail is red to maroon with extremely diverse yellow, orange with white and yellow markings. Bluestripe pipefish are among the toughest pipefish However, they are still recommended that only aquarists with expertise keep Pipefish because of their tiny dimensions and unique needs. They usually prefer eating exclusively Cyclops as well as smaller Mysis as well as Nutramar Ova. Are you looking for the most nutritious food source to feed your Pipefish? We suggest the AlgaGen Tisbe biminiensis. The species is best kept in pairs of mated or harems comprising two males and several females, in an aquarium of 30 gallons or more. Males tend to be territorial and do not be tolerate the presence of others. If you want to add several bluestripe fish to your aquarium, it's suggested to add them all at the same time. Following a lavish courtship dance, the female will then attach her eggs with adhesives to the concave region at the base of the male's trunk. The pair can be seen regularly mating in an aquarium when they are fed well. It's difficult to identify gender, however mature males generally appear flat because of the brood patch and females tend to be more round. By using magnifying glasses, opaque pigments can be observed on the male snouts. It can be kept with shy, small fish like small seahorses, gobies, dragonets, or firefish. The aggressive, territorial, or fast-moving fish don't make ideal friends. Pipefish can be injured by corals that have tentacles that sting or corals large enough to eat like brain corals. Pipefish can also be injured by invertebrates, such as crabs as well as large shrimp. They spend their daytime swimming vertically against pipes or upside-down beneath the ledge of rock. Between dawn and dusk, they can be seen free in the open, in search of food. Approximate Size of Purchase: Small 3/4" to 1 1/4" Medium 1 1/4" to 2" Please note that we promise that ALL aquarium species we sell will be alive and in good health. However, due to the greater amount of maintenance required for this particular species, it is designated "Expert only." This species is only recommended to the aquarist who is an expert or zoo or research institution. Expert only aqua life is exempt from our warranty after arrival.