TankBud

Narrowstripe pipefish

Doryrhamphus bicarinatus

Also known as Indian Ocean Bluestripe Pipefish, Bluestriped Pipefish, Flagtail Pipefish

SaltwaterFish

Narrowstripe pipefish (Doryrhamphus bicarinatus)
Philippe Bourjon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
114 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Pouch brooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Syngnathidae
Origin
Western Indian Ocean, South Africa to the Maldives

Overview

The narrowstripe pipefish is a small, slow-feeding saltwater fish for a quiet tank. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The few narrowstripe pipefish that reach the hobby are captive bred by a European hatchery. That is far more practical than collecting a small cave dweller from its remote Indian Ocean range.

Caring for the narrowstripe pipefish

Keep the narrowstripe pipefish in a quiet tank of at least 30 gal (114 L), with gentle flow. Hold the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

It feeds slowly and needs small frozen foods, such as baby brine shrimp, chopped mysis and Calanus. Offer them three or four times a day.

Males are territorial with one another, so keep a single fish or a bonded pair. It is mostly peaceful. Choose its tank mates with care, and add it to a reef tank with caution.

The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch under his tail. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

The narrowstripe pipefish is one of the smaller flagtail pipefish. It was only described in 1981, and the IUCN still lists it as Data Deficient because wild populations are so poorly known.

In the wild

The narrowstripe pipefish comes from the western Indian Ocean. It has been recorded from Sodwana Bay in South Africa north to Mozambique and across to the Maldives. Like other flagtails, it stays close to the bottom, working caves, crevices and ledges rather than open water.

Common questions

What size tank does a narrowstripe pipefish need?

A narrowstripe pipefish needs at least 30 gal (114 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a narrowstripe pipefish need?

A narrowstripe pipefish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a narrowstripe pipefish eat?

A narrowstripe pipefish eats small frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, chopped mysis and Calanus. It feeds slowly, so offer them three or four times a day.

How big does a narrowstripe pipefish get?

An adult narrowstripe pipefish reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does a narrowstripe pipefish breed?

The male narrowstripe pipefish carries the eggs in a brood pouch under his tail. Breeding it is hard.

Related species