Freshwater Pipefish

Doryichthys martensii

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Syngnathiformes›Syngnathidae

📍 Southeast Asia

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Elongated, pipe-shaped relative of seahorses. Needs live or frozen foods and gentle tankmates. A true oddball species.

Size7"

Min Tank20g

peaceful

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Freshwater pipefish are strict micro-carnivores requiring live or frozen small foods. Feed small frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms once daily in small portions. They may refuse prepared foods and typically need live microfauna like copepods or amphipods to thrive long-term.

Behavior

Pipefish are slow, deliberate swimmers that spend most of their time hovering near plants and structures, using their prehensile tails to anchor themselves. They are peaceful and non-aggressive but can be outcompeted for food by faster swimmers. They are most active during dawn and dusk, remaining relatively stationary during midday.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is extremely rare and difficult. Males carry eggs in a brood pouch similar to seahorses, but captive pairs rarely reach this stage due to stress and poor feeding conditions. Success requires pristine water quality, abundant live food, and mature, well-established pairs in a dedicated breeding setup.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Peaceful bottom dweller that won't compete for food or harass pipefish

excellent

German Blue Ram

Calm cichlid with similar temperature needs; avoid during breeding season

good

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Small, gentle schooler that won't outcompete pipefish for micro-foods

good

Red Cherry Shrimp

Shares similar food sources and won't harass pipefish; helps maintain water quality

excellent

Amano Shrimp

Larger shrimp that coexists peacefully; may compete slightly for food

good

Anubias Nana

Provides shelter and anchoring points for pipefish to use their prehensile tails

excellent

Common Diseases

Starvation/Malnutrition

Symptoms

Extreme thinness, lethargy, refusal to eat prepared foods, gradual weight loss

Treatment

Increase availability of live foods (copepods, amphipods, small daphnia); supplement with frozen micro-foods; ensure food reaches the pipefish before faster tankmates consume it

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Frayed fins, body sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, erratic swimming

Treatment

Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days; maintain pristine water quality; consider mild antibiotic treatment if severe; isolate if possible

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Excessive scratching, white spots or patches, rapid gill movement, lethargy

Treatment

Quarantine affected fish; treat with appropriate anti-parasitic medication; increase water changes; avoid copper-based treatments as pipefish are sensitive

Stress-Related Decline

Symptoms

Loss of appetite, hiding, color fading, weakened immunity leading to secondary infections

Treatment

Reduce tank disturbances; provide dense vegetation and shelter; maintain stable water parameters; minimize aggressive tankmates; ensure adequate live food availability