chosen1608
Member
Does anyone have any info on dragonfish? I say one at the store but noone seems to know much about them and I haven't been able to find much info on my own. Thanks for the input.
Know anything about Dragonfish?
- Thread starter chosen1608
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chosen1608
Member
no, it is a saltwater fish, but does have a big head and look like an eel
T
tizzo
Guest
A dragon pipefish??
T
tizzo
Guest
Here... I copied this info from another sight. They mentioned that it's a difficult fish so I figure the rest is accurate. 
The Dragonface Pipefish, also known as the Dragon Pipefish, Messmate Pipefish, or Reeftop Pipefish, is a long sleek fish with a body shape similar to that of an eel.
It is difficult to keep in an aquarium for the beginner, but is well suited for the advanced aquarist when maintained with other pipefish and seahorses in 30 gallons or larger aquariums. These pipefish will not harm ornamental invertebrates in a reef setting, and requires plenty of hiding places such as caves or overhangs. The fish use their tail to anchor themselves on coral branches and other structured objects when searching for food, and are very interesting additions to the home aquarium. The Dragonface Pipefish reacts poorly when harassed by other more aggressive fish such as: blennies, larger wrasses, large gobies, triggerfish, and porcupinefish.
When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. The diet should consist of small, live invertebrates such as brine shrimp, amphipods, tiny grass shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. It needs to be fed at several times per day, and is a very slow eater because of its tiny tubular mouth.
This species of pipefish has been found to consume the micro-amphipod commonly referred to as the dreaded "Red Bugs" that have now become prevalent in reef aquariums that contain Acropora coral. Red Bug infestations on Acropora corals have been shown to inhibit polyp extension and growth, while causing shifts or loss in coloration. After the pipefish is accustomed to the surroundings and tankmates in the reef aquarium, they will quickly seek out these red bugs as a food source.
The Dragonface Pipefish, also known as the Dragon Pipefish, Messmate Pipefish, or Reeftop Pipefish, is a long sleek fish with a body shape similar to that of an eel.
It is difficult to keep in an aquarium for the beginner, but is well suited for the advanced aquarist when maintained with other pipefish and seahorses in 30 gallons or larger aquariums. These pipefish will not harm ornamental invertebrates in a reef setting, and requires plenty of hiding places such as caves or overhangs. The fish use their tail to anchor themselves on coral branches and other structured objects when searching for food, and are very interesting additions to the home aquarium. The Dragonface Pipefish reacts poorly when harassed by other more aggressive fish such as: blennies, larger wrasses, large gobies, triggerfish, and porcupinefish.
When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. The diet should consist of small, live invertebrates such as brine shrimp, amphipods, tiny grass shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. It needs to be fed at several times per day, and is a very slow eater because of its tiny tubular mouth.
This species of pipefish has been found to consume the micro-amphipod commonly referred to as the dreaded "Red Bugs" that have now become prevalent in reef aquariums that contain Acropora coral. Red Bug infestations on Acropora corals have been shown to inhibit polyp extension and growth, while causing shifts or loss in coloration. After the pipefish is accustomed to the surroundings and tankmates in the reef aquarium, they will quickly seek out these red bugs as a food source.
lion_crazz
Active Member
If you are referring to the pipefish, like stated, it is very difficult and cannot be housed with any fish other than maybe a mandarin, scooter blenny, other pipe fish, and sea horses (all fish that are more difficult to take care of than most, and require a very specific food source). I would just leave the pipefish alone. They are cool, but there are easier fish to take care of.
chosen1608
Member
I'm not referring to the pipefish. I think it is otherwise known as the scaleless dragonfish, Grammatostomias flagellibarba. Thanks for the replies.
T
tizzo
Guest
OH!! THAT dragonfish... (I copied this...)
Region:
Found in most temperate and tropical oceans
3,028 feet and deeper
Description:
Name means "lined stomiatid with a whip-barbel"
Six inches long (15.24 cm) to 12 inches (30 cm)
Chin barbel up to six feet (1.8 m) in length
Males do not have barbels or teeth, but have lighted organ below one of their eyes
Large eyes and good vision
Dark in color with long bodies
Two row of blue-violet organs down its sides
Large head and mouth
250 species of dragonfish from 2 cm to 50 cm
Diet:
Fish and shrimp or anything they can catch
Usually scavengers
Can expand their stomachs
Intestines often grow past their tails, outside their bodies
Mouth contains many fang-like, sharp teeth that are hinged and fold backwards
Lie motionless and use long barbel has lure at end to attract prey
Uses sensory fibers to detect and grab prey
Jaws can expand
Region:
Found in most temperate and tropical oceans
3,028 feet and deeper
Description:
Name means "lined stomiatid with a whip-barbel"
Six inches long (15.24 cm) to 12 inches (30 cm)
Chin barbel up to six feet (1.8 m) in length
Males do not have barbels or teeth, but have lighted organ below one of their eyes
Large eyes and good vision
Dark in color with long bodies
Two row of blue-violet organs down its sides
Large head and mouth
250 species of dragonfish from 2 cm to 50 cm
Diet:
Fish and shrimp or anything they can catch
Usually scavengers
Can expand their stomachs
Intestines often grow past their tails, outside their bodies
Mouth contains many fang-like, sharp teeth that are hinged and fold backwards
Lie motionless and use long barbel has lure at end to attract prey
Uses sensory fibers to detect and grab prey
Jaws can expand
T
tizzo
Guest
I think what ever you saw at the store may have been mis-labeled... Even the experts can't seem to get a real pic of that thing!! Best I found was this... Is this the same fish that was at the store??
chosen1608
Member
here's a picture...I know it's blurry but use your imagination
1journeyman
Active Member
If it is a saltwater fish I'd guess its a goby of some sort.
LFS love to make up common names. I saw a Tang labeled "Assorted Tang" the other day..
LFS love to make up common names. I saw a Tang labeled "Assorted Tang" the other day..
chosen1608
Member
that looks just like it except it is a saltwater fish
dmc888
Member
Ok i found that its a brackish fish so its the same one.
I seen them at ***** in the fw section.
Looks pretty cool.
Here is some info.
Comments. Dragon Fish have very small eyes and have difficulty seeing and finding food. Be sure that their tank mates don't eat all the food and starve the Dragon Fish. Even though they look ferocious, Dragon Fish are very peaceful fish.
Appropriate home. An aquarium with at least 29 gallons of water, an exterior power filter with a bio-wheel, and a maximum of 1/4 inch of gravel. Dragon Fish do well in either a cool water aquarium or a warm water aquarium. The water temperature should be between 65 and 78 degrees F. Click here for more about warm water aquariums. Click here for more about cool water aquariums.
Dragon Fish are found in brackish water which is a mixture of fresh water without salt and marine salt water with a lot of salt. Dragon Fish do well in either fresh water or brackish water with one tablespoon of Aquarium Salt added to each five gallons of fresh water. Click here for more information about Aquarium Salt.
Recommended Diet. Dragon Fish eat Ghost Shrimp and Black Worms. They will also eat live and frozen brine shrimp. Click here for more about Black Worms. Click here for more about feeding fish.
Compatibility. Keep one or a several Dragon Fish in an aquarium, but do not keep just a few Dragon Fish together, because the strongest Dragon Fish will make the other Dragon Fish miserable, unless there are several Dragon Fish to distract the strongest Dragon Fish.
Good Tank Mates for Dragon Fish are Angel Fish, Silver Dollars, Swordtails, Mollies, and Corydoras Catfish in a Warm Water Aquarium.
Dragon Fish are also good tank mates for Goldfish such as Fantails, Black Moors, Telescopes, and Orandas in a Cool Water Aquarium.
Size and Life Span. Dragon Fish can live for several years and grow to be 22" long, but they rarely grow longer than 15" in an aquarium.
I seen them at ***** in the fw section.
Looks pretty cool.
Here is some info.
Comments. Dragon Fish have very small eyes and have difficulty seeing and finding food. Be sure that their tank mates don't eat all the food and starve the Dragon Fish. Even though they look ferocious, Dragon Fish are very peaceful fish.
Appropriate home. An aquarium with at least 29 gallons of water, an exterior power filter with a bio-wheel, and a maximum of 1/4 inch of gravel. Dragon Fish do well in either a cool water aquarium or a warm water aquarium. The water temperature should be between 65 and 78 degrees F. Click here for more about warm water aquariums. Click here for more about cool water aquariums.
Dragon Fish are found in brackish water which is a mixture of fresh water without salt and marine salt water with a lot of salt. Dragon Fish do well in either fresh water or brackish water with one tablespoon of Aquarium Salt added to each five gallons of fresh water. Click here for more information about Aquarium Salt.
Recommended Diet. Dragon Fish eat Ghost Shrimp and Black Worms. They will also eat live and frozen brine shrimp. Click here for more about Black Worms. Click here for more about feeding fish.
Compatibility. Keep one or a several Dragon Fish in an aquarium, but do not keep just a few Dragon Fish together, because the strongest Dragon Fish will make the other Dragon Fish miserable, unless there are several Dragon Fish to distract the strongest Dragon Fish.
Good Tank Mates for Dragon Fish are Angel Fish, Silver Dollars, Swordtails, Mollies, and Corydoras Catfish in a Warm Water Aquarium.
Dragon Fish are also good tank mates for Goldfish such as Fantails, Black Moors, Telescopes, and Orandas in a Cool Water Aquarium.
Size and Life Span. Dragon Fish can live for several years and grow to be 22" long, but they rarely grow longer than 15" in an aquarium.
chosen1608
Member
thanks for the info, could you tell me the website where you got the info from. I appreciate it
dmc888
Member
Try a search on google for dragon fish.
Should be in the top five.
I can email it to you to also. But thats about all the info they had..
I usually fly past the fw section. But something caught my eye.
When i seen the dragonfish i was like what the hell is that. I stared for about 10 min.
There was food all in the tank floating and on the bottom. I'm guessing from their bad eyesight.
They were around 15 bucks.
Very interesting fish, surprised they are not well known. Even a search doesn't show much pics.
Should be in the top five.
I can email it to you to also. But thats about all the info they had..
I usually fly past the fw section. But something caught my eye.
When i seen the dragonfish i was like what the hell is that. I stared for about 10 min.
There was food all in the tank floating and on the bottom. I'm guessing from their bad eyesight.
They were around 15 bucks.
Very interesting fish, surprised they are not well known. Even a search doesn't show much pics.