TankBud

Longmouth pipefish

Doryichthys heterosoma

Also known as Microphis heterosoma

FreshwaterFish

Longmouth pipefish (Doryichthys heterosoma)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
13.4 in
34 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Egg carrier · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Syngnathidae
Origin
Large rivers of Sumatra and Borneo

Overview

The longmouth pipefish is the largest freshwater pipefish a hobbyist is likely to meet, so it needs a long tank rather than a nano. It belongs in experienced hands.

Did you know

The longmouth pipefish was described in 1851 from just four specimens. It has stayed so rarely collected since that much of its everyday life history is still a blank.

Caring for the longmouth pipefish

Give the longmouth pipefish a long, planted tank of at least 53 gal (200 L), with plenty of horizontal swimming length. Add dense marginal planting, driftwood and root cover, and keep the flow gentle. Warm water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, suits it.

Like all pipefish, it feeds only on small live and frozen prey, such as newly hatched brine shrimp, copepods, Mysis and small mosquito larvae. A mature tank with an established supply of tiny live food helps sustain a fish this large on such small meals.

It is peaceful and social and can be kept as a small group. It is easily outcompeted, so choose tank mates with great care, or skip them in favor of a species tank.

The male carries the developing eggs and gives birth to live, fully formed young. Captive breeding is hard and rarely achieved.

Good to know

Doryichthys heterosoma belongs to the Syngnathidae. It has a long, trumpet-like snout and a slender ringed body.

In the wild

Doryichthys heterosoma is known from the large rivers of western Indonesia, in Sumatra, Borneo and neighboring islands. It holds in slow, deeper stretches among vegetation.

Common questions

What size tank does a longmouth pipefish need?

A longmouth pipefish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a longmouth pipefish need?

A longmouth pipefish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a longmouth pipefish eat?

A longmouth pipefish feeds only on small live and frozen prey. Give it newly hatched brine shrimp, copepods, Mysis and small mosquito larvae.

How big does a longmouth pipefish get?

An adult longmouth pipefish reaches about 13.4 in (34 cm).

How does a longmouth pipefish breed?

The male longmouth pipefish carries the developing eggs and gives birth to live, fully formed young. Captive breeding is hard and rarely achieved.

Related species