TankBud

Freshwater pipefish

Doryichthys martensii

Also known as Black line pipefish

FreshwaterFish

Freshwater pipefish (Doryichthys martensii)
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
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
32 gal
120 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Egg carrier
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Syngnathidae
Origin
Thailand, Sunda Islands

Overview

The freshwater pipefish is a slender, slow hunter for a calm, densely planted tank. It takes an experienced keeper.

Did you know

The freshwater pipefish feeds by drawing tiny animals into its small tubular snout with a quick suck.

Caring for the freshwater pipefish

Give freshwater pipefish a densely planted tank of at least 32 gal (120 L), which suits a small group. Add tangled wood for cover, fine sand and calm, well-oxygenated flow. They spend their time near the bottom, so keep the flow gentle there.

Hold the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Mature, stable water is important, as pipefish react badly to poor conditions.

Feeding is the main challenge, since most take only live or freshly thawed foods such as small shrimp, blackworms and mosquito larvae. Many need live food to start. They are slow, careful hunters that cannot compete with quick, greedy tank mates.

Keep them only with peaceful, gentle fish as tank mates, since they need calm surroundings. They are mostly peaceful themselves and fine alone or in a group.

Like a seahorse, the freshwater pipefish reverses the usual roles of parenthood. The female passes her eggs to the male. He carries and protects them along the underside of his body until the tiny young are ready to swim free. Aquarium breeding is rarely documented.

Good to know

The freshwater pipefish is a member of Syngnathidae, the seahorse and pipefish family. It has the long, ringed, armored body typical of the group.

In the wild

Doryichthys martensii lives in freshwater rivers and streams across Thailand and the Sunda Islands of Southeast Asia. It moves slowly among plants and submerged roots in warm, clear to gently stained water.

Common questions

What size tank does a freshwater pipefish need?

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

What temperature and pH does a freshwater pipefish need?

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

What does a freshwater pipefish eat?

A freshwater pipefish eats live or freshly thawed foods such as small shrimp, blackworms and mosquito larvae. Many need live food to start, and quick, greedy tank mates beat them to it.

How big does a freshwater pipefish get?

An adult freshwater pipefish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a freshwater pipefish breed?

A female freshwater pipefish passes her eggs to the male. He carries them along the underside of his body until the tiny young swim free. Aquarium breeding is rarely documented.

Related species