Corythoichthys flavofasciatus

(Ruppell, 1838)

Network Pipefish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to Tuamotu Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to northern Australia.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits algal-covered rock and corals in lagoons and on seaward reefs at depths between 3 - 80 feet (1 - 25 m) where it feeds mainly on copepods.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, having a tannish body with red spots on the snout and reddish bars and yellow lines on the body.

Those in this genus move by crawling over the substrate, not open water column swimmers. They are best maintained in aquariums, especially reef aquariums, with minimum water currents, as this is also a slow moving species. Aquarium environment should have several caves where it can take shelter as needed. Tankmates must be quite peaceful, as pipefish make, good targets for fin-nipping species.

Even though only a live food consumer in the wild, a meaty diet such as enriched live adult brine shrimp and/or enriched frozen brine shrimp, mysis, and krill will usually suffice and should be offered twice daily by dispensing it up stream so the water current will slowly carry it towards the species.

May be difficult to feed in the early days in the aquarium and if so, live enriched adult brine shrimp should be offered several times daily. Over time, it may learn to accept various frozen foods.

Taxonomy:

Order: Gasterosteiformes

Suborder: Syngnathoidei

Family: Syngnathidae

Subfamily: Syngnathinae

Genus: Corythoichthys

FYI: This is a slow moving fish that can easily get sucked into an open intake siphon; therefore these type intakes must have a strainer on their intake areas.

Those in this genus are often referred to as ‘Dragon Pipefishes.’

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5