Dwarf Pipefish in a 8 gallon Bio-Cube reef?

coral keeper

Active Member
I found a site that sells Dwarf Pipefish and was wondering if I can put 1-a few in a 8 gallon Bio-Cube reef tank that was set up for 2-2.5 years now. I've never kept Pipefish or Seahorses before. Sooo, I need all the help I can get. What do they eat? Can they eat frozen mysis or krill? What kind of corals are safe with Pipefish? Are anemones and bubble corals safe with Pipefish? What kind of temps do they like? Will 79F-83F work for a Dwarf Pipefish? The Dwarf Pipefish species is Cosmocampus hildebrandi.
Thanks in advance!
 

teresaq

Active Member
I have never kept them, but I do know a few things.
They eat bbs (newly hatched baby brine shrimp) 2 to 3 day old enriched brine and Copods.
They like grassy areas and macro algea to hide in.
Temps should be more like 74 to 75 degrees
No stinging corals. anemone would eat them
 

coral keeper

Active Member
Does the tank HAVE to be at 75F? Why can't it be at 80F? How many dwarf pipefish can I put in a 8 gallon bio-cube? Do they like high flow, med flow, or low flow? What kind of other pipefish will be fine in a 8 gallon biocube?
 

reefnutpa

Member
The tank can't be at 80F because in warm water any bacteria the wild caught pipefish may be carrying would rapidly multiply - especially in such a small quantity of water. In the ocean, where bacteria are diluted by the vastness of the ocean, it is not an issue. In the confines of a tiny glass box of water it is.
Low/med flow is fine for pipefish, however, "reef conditions" are not suitable for the dwarf species you mention. They are found in grassy areas with little/no flow, for the most part. As the dwarf pipes come from Florida, reef conditions are not their natural habitat.
Blue stripe pipes are small and better suited for reef tanks, however, you still cannot (or rather, should not) keep any stinging corals (such as bubble corals) or anemones with them.
Bio-Cubes run on the hot side and have strong flow. Without making modifications to it (dispersing the flow with spray bars/changing out the pump) it isn't a very suitable tank. There are posts on modifying the "all-in-one" tanks to make them more suitable, but IMO you will have much better success using a regular tank and setting up a species specific pipefish tank and setting it up as their natural habitat would be.
Tom
 

coral keeper

Active Member
I can change the pump out for a much weaker one. =) The 8 gallon biocube has 30% corals(softies and leathers) and 70% plants/micro algae. I think I can make a mini chiller to chill the tank down to 75F. So, is baby brine shrimp the only thing they eat? Can they eat copeez, mysis, brine shrimp eggs, krill, home made fish food? The only corals I have are kenya trees, brown button palys, and zoas. Will 12% water changes a week work? Or does it need to be more? How much gph would you recommend for a 8 gallon Bio-Cube?
 

teresaq

Active Member
they would last a long time, but most horse keepers use decapsulated eggs as the shells can cause problems.
Now lets talk about this tank. Have you done any research on dwarfs???
Just a little info.
They are very susceptible to hydroids. They will kill an adult dwarf. For this reason, dwarf keepers start with a totally sterile tank. dead sand, dead rock, no corals, no macros unless they have been treated and then most macros don't survive the panacur treatments.
I would pm reefnut about info on dwarfs. He has kept them for yrs. Listen to his advise. You can not just add them to an existing reef tank.
I am not trying to discourage you, just trying to educate.
TeresaQ
 

dingus890

Member
I would stick to just the dwarf pipefish for now and not the dwarf seahorses.Dwarf ponies are a different story.As T said if you want to start another tank for the dwarf seahorses PM Reefnut or Rynka.There are also a few others that have dwarfs(sorry if I forgot you)
I think you could kit about 4-6 dwarf pipes comfortably in an 8 gallon.
Make sure all filter/powerhead intakes are covered so the pipefish do not get sucked in.Also make you get a plastic heater that would not burn the pipefish when the wrap around the heaters like some glass heaters do.
Just keep up with the water changes as you will be feeding alot and have fun with it
they are amazing little creatures.
 
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