Banded Pipefish

Important: require a highly specific environment, similar to seahorses. Low flow systems with peaceful tankmates is essential. They are currently feeding on frozen brine & mysis shrimp, supplemented with live baby brine shrimp, and they should be offered this daily or at least a couple of times per week. Please do not purchase unless you can provide the appropriate care and environment. Thank you.

The (also known as the Flagtail Pipefish) is a unique and elegant reef species closely related to seahorses. Unlike their cousins, they are more active swimmers and rarely rest on the substrate. In the wild, they inhabit reef areas beneath rocky overhangs and corals, often staying near the seafloor.

They feature a long, slender, cream-colored body with distinct vertical bands ranging from dark red to black. Their tail is bright red with a white margin and a central white spot, giving it a flag-like appearance.

Due to their specialized dietary needs, are best suited for experienced aquarists. They typically feed on live copepods in mature reef aquariums rich in live rock or macroalgae. Ideal starting foods include live copepods and vitamin-enriched live baby brine shrimp. They may eventually accept frozen alternatives, but this is not guaranteed.

This species is social and thrives best when kept in mated pairs or small groups. A minimum tank size of 50 gallons is recommended. Suitable tankmates include peaceful, slow-moving fish such as small gobies, seahorses, dragonets, and firefish. Avoid housing them with aggressive, territorial, or fast-swimming species. Anemones, stinging corals (like large Euphyllia or LPS), and predatory invertebrates such as large shrimp or crabs should be avoided, as they can pose serious risks to the pipefish.

Breeding may occur in aquariums when the fish are well-fed. After an intricate courtship dance, the female attaches adhesive eggs to the male’s brood patch on his underside. Mature males typically appear flatter in the abdomen, while females have a more rounded profile—though sexing is not always straightforward.