TankBud

African red-striped pipefish

Microphis aculeatus

Also known as Red-stripe pipefish, Freshwater longnose pipefish, West African pipefish

FreshwaterBrackishFish

African red-striped pipefish (Microphis aculeatus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
7.0–8.2
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
32 gal
120 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Syngnathidae
Origin
West Africa, Senegal to Angola

Overview

Keep a small group in a calm, mature, densely planted tank of around 120 liters, either alone or with very gentle surface fish that leave the bottom in peace. It eats slowly and only takes small live or freshly thawed foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and blackworms, so food competition is the main risk. It often rests motionless at an angle among plants and wood, easy to mistake for a twig.

In the wild

This pipefish comes from coastal rivers, creeks, and estuaries of West Africa, from Senegal south to Angola, with most trade fish exported from Nigeria. It lives among marginal plants and sunken wood in slow, warm water that ranges from fresh to lightly brackish. Keep it at 24 to 28 degrees Celsius with a pH of 7.0 to 8.2 in a densely planted tank with fine sand and calm flow. A small addition of salt is optional, not required.

Good to know

Microphis aculeatus reaches about 20 centimeters and, unusually for a pipefish, the male is the colorful sex, with a red stripe down the back and a patterned snout. He broods the eggs in a pouch under his trunk for one to three weeks and releases fully formed young about 1.5 centimeters long, with no marine larval stage. That makes it one of the few freshwater pipefish with documented captive breeding, including a published public aquarium account.

Did you know

An African red-striped pipefish holding still among waterlogged branches is nearly impossible to pick out, and it leans into the disguise, drifting stiffly like a stick until prey comes within reach of its snout.

Common questions

What size tank does an African red-striped pipefish need?

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

What temperature and pH does an African red-striped pipefish need?

An African red-striped pipefish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.2.

How big does an African red-striped pipefish get?

An adult African red-striped pipefish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Related species