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African freshwater pipefish

Enneacampus ansorgii

Also known as African pipefish

FreshwaterFish

African freshwater pipefish (Enneacampus ansorgii)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.5 in
14 cm
Minimum tank
32 gal
120 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Pouch brooder
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Syngnathidae
Origin
West Africa

Overview

The African freshwater pipefish is a slender, slow-feeding fish for a calm, densely planted tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

A large male African freshwater pipefish can brood several hundred offspring.

Caring for the African freshwater pipefish

Keep African freshwater pipefish in a densely planted tank of at least 32 gal (120 L), which suits a small group. Add tangled roots or branches for cover, fine sand and gentle flow. They spend their time near the bottom, among the plants and roots.

Hold the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a soft, slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Mature, stable water quality matters, since pipefish react badly to swings and to pollutants.

Food is the hardest part of their care, since most take only live or freshly thawed foods such as small shrimp, blackworms and mysis. Many need live food to get started. They feed slowly and deliberately, so fast tank mates outcompete them.

They are mostly peaceful and can live alone, but a small group of their own kind suits them best. Keep them only with calm, gentle species and nothing large enough to harass them.

Like their seahorse cousins, they breed by male pregnancy. The female transfers her eggs to a brood pouch under the male's tail. He fertilizes and carries them until fully formed young are released. Aquarium breeding is rarely documented.

Good to know

The African freshwater pipefish belongs to Syngnathidae, the family that includes seahorses and pipefish. Like its relatives, it has a long, ringed, armored body and a small tube snout it uses to suck in tiny prey.

In the wild

Enneacampus ansorgii comes from coastal freshwater and slightly brackish rivers and creeks in West Africa. It lives among submerged plants and leaf litter in warm, gently flowing water.

Common questions

What size tank does an African freshwater pipefish need?

An African freshwater pipefish needs at least 32 gal (120 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an African freshwater pipefish need?

An African freshwater pipefish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an African freshwater pipefish eat?

An African freshwater pipefish eats live or freshly thawed foods, such as small shrimp, blackworms and mysis. Many need live food at first, and fast tank mates beat them to it.

How big does an African freshwater pipefish get?

An adult African freshwater pipefish reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).

How does an African freshwater pipefish breed?

African freshwater pipefish breed by male pregnancy. The female passes her eggs into a pouch under the male's tail, and he carries them until the young are fully formed. Aquarium breeding is rarely documented.

Related species