Barhead pipefish
Microphis leiaspis
Also known as Coelonotus leiaspis, Bud river pipefish, Bar head pipefish
FreshwaterBrackishFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F
- 22–27°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 7.5 in
- 19 cm
- Minimum tank
- 32 gal
- 120 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Syngnathidae
- Origin
- Western Pacific islands, Indonesia to the Solomon Islands
Overview
Give it a calm, mature tank of around 120 liters with gentle flow and no food competitors. It feeds slowly on live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and small blackworms, and wild imports can take time to settle and feed. Occasional wild fish reach specialist importers, often at a steep price, so it remains one for dedicated pipefish keepers.
In the wild
The barhead pipefish lives in clear island streams of the western Pacific, from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Adults hold station near the bottom in flowing freshwater, often within reach of the tide. Keep it at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 over fine substrate with smooth stones and planted cover, in fresh or very lightly brackish water.
Good to know
Microphis leiaspis reaches about 19 centimeters and until recently was placed in the genus Coelonotus. It is amphidromous. Eggs hatch in the stream, the larvae are swept to sea, and the juveniles climb back upstream, sometimes well inland. The male carries the eggs in a pouch under his trunk. Because of the marine larval stage, captive breeding has not been recorded.
Did you know
Barhead pipefish start life with a trip to the ocean. Newly hatched larvae ride the current downstream to the sea, then return months later as tiny juveniles that work their way back up into the island streams where they will live as adults.
Common questions
What size tank does a Barhead pipefish need?
A Barhead pipefish needs at least 32 gal (120 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Barhead pipefish need?
A Barhead pipefish is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
How big does a Barhead pipefish get?
An adult Barhead pipefish reaches about 7.5 in (19 cm).
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