pepetj

Microphis brachyurus lineatus, aka Opossum Pipefish. I have specimens from a native, although not endemic, species. Got them in a LFS.

I am cycling a 20gal planted low-end brackish tank for a school of them I am keeping in FW (the friendliest tank with the highest pH). The brackish tank is at my office.

These are amazing creatures. I know, pics are pending (not satisfied with the ones I took already).

Feeding them has been somewhat a challenge. (newborn live bearers, algae, mosquito larvae, moss...). I intend to keep them with a significant number of Ghost Shrimps (those are still at the LFS) and a few (hopefully prolific) brackish livebearers with a somewhat high ratio of Female: Male (so they can eat the fry). I will try to adapt Ramshorn Snails there since they eat their offspring also.

Which is the shortest pregnancy time among Endlers, Guppies, Platies, Swordtails and Mollies? That might determine who is going there.

Tank is in my office, Nitrites are in the second day of fade down and Nitrates are already detectable.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

cerianthus

It is a work just to feed them. Fz Mysis can work but should give varied diet. Although i can catch few different varieties of PIPES, I dont bring them home for that reason. I have collected mysis along with other food sources such variety of prawns but lots of work., I think they are better off in ocean unless one is really determined to take care of them.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

pepetj

I am determined, no doubt about it. Thanks for the info; the data I have states that as adults these fish remain in low-end brackish or even freshwater habitats, however they seem to have a salmon-like behavior (inverted) since juveniles are usually found near the shore.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Edited to insert pic:

Attached Images

	Opossum Pipefish juvenile (freshwater, brackish).JPG (23.8 KB, 17 views)
	Opossum Pipefish juvenile pic2.JPG (29.9 KB, 17 views)

cerianthus

Info i have on your PIPES states brackish to salt as an adult even though born in f/w.
I am curious, keep posting the progress.

pepetj

Update:
I found this journal paper with info helpful to keep (raise and breed) Opossum Pipefish in aquariums.

cerianthus: you were right about the salmon-like migratory behavior, not inverted as I wrongly understood.

http://independent.academia.edu/docu...Torres2004.pdf

It is a short communication in the journal "Gulf and Caribbean Research", published in 2004, authored by Sarah Frias Torres, Departement of Marine and Environmental Systems, from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Pepe
Santo Domingo