Doryrhamphus excisus

Kaup,1856

Bluestripe Pipefish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Persian Gulf and East Africa to the west coast of Mexico.

Size: 3 inches (7 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits caves and crevices in lagoons and on seaward reefs at depths between 6 - 150 feet (2 - 45 m) where it feeds mainly on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and quite attractive, having yellowish body with several horizontal blue stripes and a black tail with yellow spots.

Best maintained in small aquariums with minimum water currents, as this is a slow moving species. Aquarium environment should have sufficient caves and crevices that they can explore or take shelter as needed. Quite shy, especially when first introduced into the aquarium. 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 live baby brine shrimp and/or preseved baby brine shrimp, and possibly mysis, may suffice and should be offered twice daily by dispensing it up stream so the water current will slowly carry it towards the species.

Because of its tiny mouth, live baby brine shrimp may have to be a steady food source and if so, should be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Gasterosteiformes

Suborder: Syngnathoidei

Family: Syngnathidae

Subfamily: Syngnathinae

Genus: Doryrhamphus

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 referred to as ‘Hovering Pipefish.’

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: 20 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5