21. Seahorses and Pipefish (16)

Enneacampus ansorgii

21. July 2023

The beautiful Enneacampus ansorgii is a small (8 – 12 cm) freshwater pipefish and at the same time the species most commonly available for the hobby, especially as it is propagated by commercial breeders. The ground-dwelling pipefish belongs to the short-snouted members of the family. It is native to West Africa and is occasionally offered as a wild catch from Nigeria. The young animals can be fed with Artemia nauplii immediately after release from the paternal brood pouch.

Regarding feeding, all pipefish are very demanding animals and their care cannot be recommended without a reliable live food source. While larger species are very happy to eat live red and white mosquito larvae, these foods are not well suited to the short-snouted E. ansorgii. It is best to give it small crustaceans (cyclops, water fleas, etc.), and freshly hatched Artemia nauplii are also very suitable. If you feed Artemia frequently, you should add some salt to the water (about 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water), the needles tolerate this very well and the Artemia stay alive longer.

At the moment we have large, adult specimens in the stock as offspring.

For our customers: the fish have code 128513 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Microphis brachyurus

24. July 2020

The short-tailed freshwater pipefish (Microphis brachyurus) has been described from Indonesia. For a long time it was believed to be a species with a worldwide distribution, which differed only slightly at the subspecies level in the various distribution areas. And so M. lineatus (code 430104 on our stocklist) and M. aculeatus (code 149104) were considered as subspecies of M. brachyurus for a long time. Today all three are considered as independent species.

As an adult animal M. brachyurus lives in freshwater, where the tiny young are born. However, these drift into the sea within 2-3 days, where they live for some time in plankton, until they migrate back into freshwater. The breeding in freshwater has not yet been successful – as far as we know.

Some specimens of M. brachyurus have a deep red stripe on the front third of the body. It is unknown what this stripe, which can occur in both sexes, means. The males can be easily recognized by the brood pouch on their stomach.

In our current import we could observe males during courtship. The snout and the brood pouch turn deep black in a flash. Just as fast the male can switch off the black color again.

For our customers: M. brachyurus has code 430115 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Microphis brachyurus

3. July 2020

The short-tailed freshwater pipefish (Microphis brachyurus) has been described from Indonesia. For a long time it was believed to be a species with a worldwide distribution, which differed only slightly at the subspecies level in the various distribution areas. And so M. lineatus (code 430104 on our stocklist) and M. aculeatus (code 149104) were considered as subspecies of M. brachyurus for a long time. Today all three are considered as independent species.

As an adult animal M. brachyurus lives in freshwater, where the tiny young are born. However, these drift into the sea within 2-3 days, where they live for some time in plankton, until they migrate back into freshwater. The breeding in freshwater has not yet been successful – as far as we know.

Some specimens of M. brachyurus have a deep red stripe on the front third of the body. It is unknown what this stripe, which can occur in both sexes, means. The males can be easily recognized by the brood pouch on their stomach.

In our current import we could observe males during courtship. The snout and the brood pouch turn deep black in a flash. Just as fast the male can switch off the black color again.

For our customers: M. brachyurus has code 430115 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Doryichthys martensii

21. April 2020

The up to 15 cm long becoming freshwater pipefish Doryichthys martensii is widespread in southeast Asia, one knows it from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. In nature, it is mainly found in flowing waters (streams, small rivers), where the animals can be found in the undergrowth of riparian vegetation. As with all pipefish, the male takes care of the brood and carries the eggs in the large and easily recognizable brood pouch until the young animals hatch. In other words: the males of D. martensii have, as with us humans, the thick belly, the females are always slim. 

The adult pipefish live exclusively in freshwater, but it is not known whether the freshly born young animals may spend a period of their life in brackish water or in the sea. D. martensii lives more bottom-orientated than many other long-nosed pipefish species, but also often swims in open water. The species can easily be confused with Hippichthys spicifer, which looks very similar and also occurs in the same area. In H. spicifer the dorsal fin starts behind the anus (in Doryichthys before the anus) and H. spicifer has 9 caudal fin rays, Doryichthys 10.

Freshwater pipefish are care objects for advanced aquarists, which can especially meet the high food requirements of the animals. The needles only eat live food, such as Artemia nauplii, Cyclops, small water fleas etc. The water temperature can be between 22 and 28°C, the chemical composition of the water is not important, but the pH-value should be above 7 if possible.

For our customers: D. martensii has code 414301 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Microphis deocata BRED

2. August 2019

The probably prettiest freshwater pipefish is Microphis deocata from India. In its homeland it lives in clear running waters at the foot of the Himalaya. Unfortunately this pipefish is very sensitive to transport. It neither tolerates water deterioration nor can it starve for long. As a food specialist it also requires living food, this species prefers to eat mayfly larvae (which are also the closest to natural food), but also differnt mosquito larvae. A habituation at frost-food succeeds only exceptionally and should never be regarded as possible if one considers the acquisition of such animals.

Due to their high demands, M. deocata is imported only very rarely. But the species can be bred quite well. The females have a fantastic, colorful belly sail, which is carried during the day, however, indented under the belly. The animals become sexually mature already half grown, with approximately 8 cm of length. Then, however, they are not yet as colorful as full-grown, approximately 15 cm long specimens, which often have a wonderful green shimmer. It is advisable, by the way, to maintain this subtropical species occasionally in the open air (balcony-aquarium, special garden pond). The natural food and the sunlight are very good for the animals.

Usually offspring of this species are not sold, but are passed on directly from the breeder to other lovers. That is why we are very happy to be able to offer some young German offspring that have just reached sexual maturity. 

For our customers: the animals have code 430123 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Microphis aculeatus

9. July 2018

Only very rarely we obtain the freshwater pipefish Microphis aculeatus from Nigeria. The fish belong to the free swimming members of the family and are very attractive. As in all pipefish the male has to care for the eggs until they hatch. The eggs are deposited in a pouch along the belly. So the male can be easily recognized by the totally different shape of the body. Moreover the up to 15 cm long males (females stay a bit smaller) have a pretty red stripe along the back and a nice pattern on the snout.

For our customers: the fish have code 149204 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Freshwater pipefish from West Africa

28. April 2017

There are three species of freshwater pipefish known to occur in West Africa. They live in inland waters along the coast and have a very wide distribution. One can find these fishes from the Senegal to Angola (roughly 16°N to 18°S). The term „West Africa“ is not used here in the sense of the UN, but is meant as the whole coastal line of the continent. We obtain our freshwater pipefish from Nigeria.

From time to time we can import the largest of the three species, namely Microphis aculeatus. This pipefish becomes about 15-20 cm long. Microphis live free swimming in the water column and imitate a dead stick. Usually one can observe them in a horizontal posture. More information on the very interesting species can be found here: http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/gorgeous_pipefish_arrived_from_nigeria__en/

In our current import of that species we found intermixed some bycatches of the two other known species of pipefish from West Africa. Both belong to the genus Enneacampus. This genus has been established only in 1981 and contains only these two species. In contrast to Microphis Enneacampus live more substrate orientated. Although they swim around from time to time they prefer to rest on the bottom or to crawl in caves or waterplants. The first species is Enneacampus ansorgii, a species that is already known quite well in the hobby. It is even bred from time to time. This species is quite tiny and attains a total length of about 8-14 cm. Males have been found to bear eggs with a length of 7.5 cm already. There is a comparatively large number of publications in the aquarium literature, but most of it has been written prior to 1981 under the synonym of Syngnathus pulchellus. So if one does research on the species in literature the search should include the name Syngnathus pulchellus.

We find the coloration of the second species, Enneacampus kaupi, quite spectacular. Five specimens we could pick from our Micophis import, one is bright yellow, three are brick red and one almost black. We think the these colours are due to the breeding season, because in the scientific literature E. kaupi is described as rather brown with a red belly. This species is somewhat larger than E. ansorgii, sexual activity starts at a length of 8.5-9 cm, while the largest specimen observed so far had a length of 17 cm. Both species of Enneacampus look very similar at the first glimpse, but on a closer look one can clearly see that E. kaupi has a comparatively longer snout.

Regarding keeping pipefish in aquaria: all species are quite demanding fish in respect of feeding. Without a a save source for living food it can not be recommended to try to keep them. Microphis aculeatus and Enneacampus kaupi feed readily on life bloodworm and white moskito larvae. The tiny M. ansorgii cannot swallow such large food items, they prefer small crustaceans, like Cyclops, Daphnia etc. They also accept Artemia nauplii (best: newly hatched, due to the nutrition factor). If one has to feed the pipefish regularly with brine shrimp it is best to add some salt to the water in the aquarium (a tablespoon per 10 litres of waters). This is tolerated by the pipefish and the brineshrimp stay much longer alive.

For our customers: Micophis aculeatus has code 149204 on our stocklist. The few specimens of Enneacampus have been given to a breeder, so we have none for sale. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Gorgeous pipefish arrived from Nigeria!

13. February 2015

Only
very rarely we obtain the freshwater pipefish Microphis aculeatus from
Nigeria. The fish belong to the free swimming members of the family and
are very attractive. As in all pipefish the male has to care for the
eggs until they hatch. The eggs are deposited in a pouch along the
belly. So the male can be easily recognized by the totally different
shape of the body. Moreover the up to 15 cm long males (females stay a
bit smaller) have a pretty red stripe along the back and a nice pattern
on the snout.

For our customers: the fish have code 149204 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Doryichthys boaja

7. May 2012

Once more we were able to import the largest and most beautiful of all freshwater pipefish. This species occurs only in pure freshwater! Maximum size reported is around 40 cm.

For our customers: the animals have code 414294 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hippichthys penicillus

10. September 2010

Hippichthys penicillus Hippichthys penicillus

Currently we were able to import a new species of freshwater pipefish from India: Hippichthys penicillus. Basically speaking, there are two types of pipefish. First, the ones that swim free in the water column, imitating plant material (sticks etc.). Twice the ones that are bottom-dwellers and crawl like snakes between plants, stones, roots etc.. The most important aquarium pipe fish of that group is Enneacampus ansorgii.

The species belonging to Hippichthys are in between those extremes. This is also true for their habitat. They can be found in pure marine, brackish water and pure freshwater environments. The technical term for that is euryhaline.

From an aquarists point of view it is best to keep them in weakly brackish water (about 3-5 grams salt per litre). The benefit of the salt is that Artemia, they primary food resource for pipefish kept in aquaria, will stay longer alive; moreover any potential salt requirement by the pipefish is thus fulfilled. Please use exclusively salt that is manufactured for reef aquaria!

The males of Hippichthys penicillus can be easily recognized by the prominent fold on the belly which serves as a brood chamber. Besides this they also differ from the females in respect of coloration. Males are deep black with silver shining spots, wheras the females are much duller coloured. The fish become mature at a length of 6-8 cm, but according to literature they may reach a maximum length of 18 cm.

For our customers: the fish have code 421522 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Hippichthys: ancient Greek, means “horse-fish”. penicillus: Latin, means “brush”; this name was given referring to the finray-structures at the end of the tail. Microphis: ancient Greek, means “little snake”. Enneacampus: ancient Greek, means “with nine coves”, probably referring to the cross section. ansorgii: dedication name.

Suggestion of a common name: Night sky pipefish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Indien / India
Verfügbare Größe in cm 6-8

Enneacampus ansorgii

6. July 2007

Enneacampus ansorgii

The small freshwater pipefish originates from Western Africa, from Cameroon to Gabun and in the Zaire- and Ogowe River. These fish inhabit freshwater as well as brackish water habitats. Addition of sea salt (1-2 teaspoons per 10 litre of water) will therefore increase the vitality of these fish. This species, but actually all freshwater pipefish, need a special fish tank for its own in order to thrive because they are slow eating fish. They eat only life food like daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimps and the smallest fish fry. Breeding has been performed successfully in captivity on several occasions. The female lays her eggs over the breeding pouch of the male pipefish. The eggs are attached on the male animal behind the vent within an area bordered by 2 folds, which form the breeding pouch. These fish need regular water changes and a clean fish tank but will give their owner many pleasure by displaying beautiful colouration and an interesting behaviour. (Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Kamerun-Gabun, Kongo, Angola

Indostomus crocodilus

6. July 2007

This Southeast Asian dwarf will not grow larger then 3 cm. The gender difference is not very difficult to determine. During breeding time the females are clearly more filled around the belly. The males have brighter colours and the dorsal fin is black at the seam. The male fish shows guarding behaviour for spawn and fry until the young are free swimming. These are peaceful, quiet and slowly moving fish. Even the smallest aquarium is sufficient for these fascinating study objects. The substrate in the tank should be finest sand and the aquarium should be planted with fine-leafed plants and decorated with small stones and little pieces of bogwood. The food should consist of smallest live food. Breeding should be possible and the method of continuous breeding should be practised but will only be possible if there is sufficient live food of the smallest kind in order to feed the very small fry. (Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand

Indostomus paradoxus

6. July 2007

Indostomus paradoxus

This fish, which only grows up to approx. 30mm comes from Myanmar. Their habitat is the lake Indagwi. Due to their small size they can be easily kept in small tanks, but you should tend them in species tanks. These should sufficiently contain plants and tubes wich are 10-14mm in diameter. On the ceiling of such caves, the fish are also placing their eggs when kept under optimal conditions. The males guard the clutch of approximately 10-30 eggs until the slippage of the larvas starts after 2-3 days. You can start feeding them with very small live food only. When they reached their adult size they can be fed with live Cyclops or new hatchet Artemia. In general all Indostomus items should be kept in water parameters of a neutral pH and about 7° to 10° german hardness. The temperature should stay around 22°C. The breeding of Indostomus crocodilus was recorded and published by WALLACH and SCHLÜTER. Past experience has shown that Indostomus crocodilus is easier to keep than Indostomus paradoxus, and it is generally possible to socialize them with fish like Boraras urophtalmoides. (Photo & Text A. Dorn)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Myanmar
Name Indostomus paradoxus

Microphis lineatus

6. July 2007

Microphis lineatus

The species Microphis lineatus inhabits the (sub) tropical coastal waters of the American continent. This pelagic pipefish grows up to 22 cm lengths and has a very long slender snout with red spots and blotches. The body is brown or greenish above and pale below. There are very small white spots on the body and a dark line through both eyes. The brood care is practised by the males. Mature male Short-tail River Pipefish carry the eggs in a brood pouch on the ventral surface of the body. Large males can carry several hundred eggs. The breeding takes place in freshwater meanwhile they live most of the year in estuaries and coastal waters. Therefore salt should be added to the water. This pipefish takes only life food. Freshly hatched brine shrimps are taken eagerly. Flake or tablet food is generally not accepted.(Photo: Erwin Schraml, Text: Klaus Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Tropisches Amerika

Potamorrhaphis guianensis

6. July 2007

Potamorrhaphis guianensis

These fish belonging to needlefish (Belonidae) reach the aquariums of interested hobbyists only very seldom. These robbers, called halfbeak, come from almost all over Amazonia. You can find them also in the Orinoco catchment area as well as in the Guyana countries. These specialized surface fish are only suitable for the the hobbyists with restrictions because of their rapacious habits. Especially regarding the nutrition they are making heavy demands on their nurse. In the beginning they mostly only react to living or struggeling prey and you should therefore already have built up a feedingfish breeding or you can feed them with living insects, which will be taken from the surface. The animals are particularly excited, if crickets, flies or insects like that touch the surface. After the settling you can try to get the fish used to dead food little by little. Especially frozen white blood worms are well-tried, as they are floating quite long in the water – too quickly sinking food is not getting noticed. They are rather undemanding to the further care, you only have to provide aquariums big enough for the surface robbers, which will grow to 40cm maximum and they feel best within a small group of 3-6 animals. Therefore aquariums having a base of 150x60cm are the absolute minimum. The height of the aquarium is not important as only the first 20cm und the waters surface are used as living space. A socialization is quite possible, but the other fish should on one hand not be one of their prey and should on the other hand not be so agressive that they could be dangerous for the peaceful Potamorrhapis guianensis.(Photo & Text von T. Weidner)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Amazonasgebiet
Name Potamorrhaphis guianensis

Pseudophallus mindii

6. July 2007

Pseudophallus mindii is a short snouted pipefish, which reached us as a by-catch in two exemplars. Their distribution contains central and tropical South America, where it is found predominantly in freshwater habitats. Adults were caught from estuaries and mangrove areas too, while planktonic juveniles have been collected well offshore at sea. As other pipefishes and seahorses the males will do the brood care. The food supply is for the maintenance of pipefishes particularly of importance. They must be located in the food, best in living food, e.g. water fleas, cyclops, small mosquito larvae and artemia. A salt additive is recommended, the aquariums should be well structured with fine-leafed plants and little pieces of bogwood, so that the animals can show their natural behavior. At the best they should only be socialized with really peaceful fish, which do not fight with them for food, because they does not have any self-assertion. As tank mates some invertebrates e.g. shrimps will do fine.(Photo Erwin Schraml, Text Klaus Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Zentral-, Südamerika