Fresh Water Pipe Fish !

[coralbandit]

Hey all , if you don't follow my fish room thread I just got 5 freshwater pipe fish the other day .
I am lucky to have tanks up and ready most of time so getting them on the spot was not a problem either for me .
I have read as much as I can in a couple days and chased down one of my best fish resources [again like in the picta thread] and want to share my info , hopefully long term keeping and possible breeding of these unique ,rarely seen special fish I found .
I am guessing and not told differently yet that the pipe I have is Enneacmapus angorsii. Some good reads if you search.I am keeping them in a 20 gallon tall[12x24] running an air driven sponge filter and Aquaclear 30. I decided after 1 day with them to add some company with them although most reading if not all says they do best in sp. tank. I added 10 @ 1 to1 1/2 inch wrestling Half beaks .The exact sp.is still a mystery but I am working on that too.
Both sp. really say they do better in a tank of their own but they match up pretty darn good besides that IMO. I probably let my desire cloud my judgement but I tried to make an educated guess.
Both seem fine and each actually seem to stick to their listed levels in the tank with pipes hanging on or near bottom and the half beaks skimming the surface. The tank has some floating plants like java moss and fern tangled and is enjoying a nice pothos root growth invasion . I really think both fish like the set up ? I am keeping the water about 2-3 inches below top of tank as I do prefer open top [topless!] tanks .It is also noted that the pipes are sight /ambush predators that enjoy strong lighting.
I witnessed this not 20 minutes after they were first introduced and fed baby brine shrimp[BBS].
I was shinning a flashlight looking for the fifth one as they really camo in this tank excellent and noted they actually swam into the light to catch the little BBS ! I have added 'extra ' lights to this tank since it shares 2@ 4 foot led bars with other 3@ 20 gallon tanks on this rack.
Here are pics of them in a Dip and Pour[D&P] before acclimating ;



Here are the half beaks in same D&P for size comparison ;



More info coming in next post including the response[solid info] from one of my best sources !

 

[SomeoneFISHy]

The pipefish look great! What type of build do you have for them?

 

[ValerieAdams]

I was just looking at these the other day, so cool! Can't wait to see how they do for you

 

[jjohnwm]

What a great thread! Thanks for starting this.

I don't know which I find more interesting: the Halfbeaks (which I was breeding about 40 years ago, but don't think I've seen since then...) or the Pipefish, which I think are about the ultimate in super-cool freshwater fish.

Looking forward to more...and I must check out your fish-room thread.

 

[New fishes]

Really cool fish

 

[coralbandit]

I will mention I have IMO 'successfully' kept blue striped pipe in a marine aquarium with sea horses for about 2 1/2 years .I called it my 29 gallon slow reef and it was a fun tank to have for the time I did .That tank is the one built in my wall on video .
I also added 10 ghost shrimp to the tank as reading suggested the pipes may eat the eggs of the shrimp? I have not even read to see if ghost shrimp breed in aquariums ? The pipes seem pretty interested and calmed by the presence of the shrimp !
The tank is bare bottom for now like most of my tanks . At this time I am still feeding heavily and in exchange needing to make water changes and remove detritus and food daily. I will take no chances since I have the time to do this right ..I started Saturday as mentioned feeding BBS along with Golden pearls 200-300 and 300-500 micron. If you don't know about golden pearls check them out .They are the most buoyant prepared food we can offer so much so it often fools even picky live food eating fish and fry to eat just by floating in the aquariums currents for a longer time . Good stuff ! I have watched all eat and am still offering a variety of frozen foods hoping to find something larger then BBS for them .I also offered frozen rotifers yesterday and they did like the GP seem to eat some ..I am encouraged as the LFS told me they had not eaten at all yet .I originally thought with no real clue I have 4 females and 1 male [the largest and darkest] but now am pretty sure I have 2 males ! If I am seeing things right [old guy with old eyes] their pouch seems more like a zipper that travels the length of the body as opposed to traditional sea horse perpendicular slot. Reading links says the pouch is more a fold but I am not sure about much more ,need to go back and read more now seeing this. The second male actually looks to be flirting with another [don't worry I got pics]..Besides my searches for info on the net I have again contacted Larry and hoping to hear from other trusted sources hopefully .
Here is my complete Email to Larry ;

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Tom Muller/coralbandit" <coralbandit@aol.com>
To:
Cc:
Sent: Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 6:38
Subject: Enneacamus asorgii
Hey Larry ,
I hope all is well with this new year !
I am looking for your wisdom again on what I think is a rare find .
My LFS had 5 freshwater pipes that I have deduced are Enneacampus ansogii.
I snagged them Saturday and they are eating BBS and I think golden pearls.
I added 10 platinum wrestling half beaks and ghost shrimp to their 20 gallon tall.
If you could please tell if the two are compatible and any info you may have on the pipes I will be grateful .

Thanks

Tom
To: "" <coralbandit@aol.com>
Cc:
Sent: Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 8:40
Subject: Fw: Enneacamus asorgii
I found these fish, another pipefish, and a seshorse species in the tidal marshes, brackish water, northeast of Ponce, Puerto Rico. They were relatively hardy on brackish or fresh waters but did seem to prefer a bit of current. I believe just this was because they were primarily ambush hunters and preferred that their prey come to them. All three species I found in OR were considered invasive there with the hobby blamed for introdiction. Port proximity and prevalence of shipping from their natural habitats in western Africa led me to believe they came in through the ports in the bulges of ships. Compatability is tricky as with all the Syngnathidae as they are slow and vulnerable to attack but they should be ok in a well planted tank. They were easily bred but I never could het them off live or fresh frozen foods. They took live fish fry of any species small enough, live or frozen brine shrimp, mosquito wigglers, and daphnia, live small sift mysis shrimp, and infusoria and zooplankton netted from the brackish marshes.
Good luck with them, oh, by the way, the male carries eggs like a seahorse ,
Larry R


Tom
A follow up on the way African coastal species wind up on Carribean islands. A discussion I participated in years ago suggested that brackish water species may actually ride the hurricanes on rafts of vegetation. The idea went like this, during the storm buildup along the African coast a large mass of vegetation got washed asea. Inside this mess were coastal specimens that had taken refuge from the building storm. Caught up in the current and pushed westward by the storm they were bathed in the rains of hurricane keeping the surface salinity low enough for their survival until they made landfall. This, and bilgewater from ships could account for other invasive species, such as the Gulf coast and Florida lionfish problem, and take the hobby off the hook. I mention lionfish because mapping puts concentration around ports in spite of sportfishing concentration away from those areas.
Larry R
Pictures in next post !

 

[coralbandit]

Pics from today ;
Here is the tank

The #1 male .He is largest and so far stays darkest.


Inquisitive little creatures !

Maybe smiling ? I like to think my fish are happy

#2 male possibly courting a female !

Here although blurry you can see what I think is the pouch on the male

Here is one of the halfbeaks

 

[mattgirl]

I can see why you couldn't resist getting these fish Unbelievably cute creatures. Hopefully one day you will be offering their offspring up for sale.

 

[goldface]

They seem like really neat, interesting fish. They look like they belong in a brackish or saltwater tank. I can see the charm!

 

[coralbandit]

They seem like really neat, interesting fish. They look like they belong in a brackish or saltwater tank. I can see the charm!

Both the pipes and the halfbeaks are found in brackish water also .
If they do not breed in the water I am using I think I will change them to brackish on a seasonal schedule to emulate their nature .
Maybe I am planning too far ahead ?
I kept marine pipe fish before and these guys are just as cool and active ..

 

[ValerieAdams]

I will mention I have IMO 'successfully' kept blue striped pipe in a marine aquarium with sea horses for about 2 1/2 years .I called it my 29 gallon slow reef and it was a fun tank to have for the time I did .That tank is the one built in my wall on video .
I also added 10 ghost shrimp to the tank as reading suggested the pipes may eat the eggs of the shrimp? I have not even read to see if ghost shrimp breed in aquariums ? The pipes seem pretty interested and calmed by the presence of the shrimp !
The tank is bare bottom for now like most of my tanks . At this time I am still feeding heavily and in exchange needing to make water changes and remove detritus and food daily. I will take no chances since I have the time to do this right ..I started Saturday as mentioned feeding BBS along with Golden pearls 200-300 and 300-500 micron. If you don't know about golden pearls check them out .They are the most buoyant prepared food we can offer so much so it often fools even picky live food eating fish and fry to eat just by floating in the aquariums currents for a longer time . Good stuff ! I have watched all eat and am still offering a variety of frozen foods hoping to find something larger then BBS for them .I also offered frozen rotifers yesterday and they did like the GP seem to eat some ..I am encouraged as the LFS told me they had not eaten at all yet .I originally thought with no real clue I have 4 females and 1 male [the largest and darkest] but now am pretty sure I have 2 males ! If I am seeing things right [old guy with old eyes] their pouch seems more like a zipper that travels the length of the body as opposed to traditional sea horse perpendicular slot. Reading links says the pouch is more a fold but I am not sure about much more ,need to go back and read more now seeing this. The second male actually looks to be flirting with another [don't worry I got pics]..Besides my searches for info on the net I have again contacted Larry and hoping to hear from other trusted sources hopefully .
Here is my complete Email to Larry ;

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Tom Muller/coralbandit" <coralbandit@aol.com>
To:
Cc:
Sent: Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 6:38
Subject: Enneacamus asorgii
Hey Larry ,
I hope all is well with this new year !
I am looking for your wisdom again on what I think is a rare find .
My LFS had 5 freshwater pipes that I have deduced are Enneacampus ansogii.
I snagged them Saturday and they are eating BBS and I think golden pearls.
I added 10 platinum wrestling half beaks and ghost shrimp to their 20 gallon tall.
If you could please tell if the two are compatible and any info you may have on the pipes I will be grateful .

Thanks

Tom
Cc:
Sent: Mon, Jan 28, 2019 at 8:40
Subject: Fw: Enneacamus asorgii
I found these fish, another pipefish, and a seshorse species in the tidal marshes, brackish water, northeast of Ponce, Puerto Rico. They were relatively hardy on brackish or fresh waters but did seem to prefer a bit of current. I believe just this was because they were primarily ambush hunters and preferred that their prey come to them. All three species I found in OR were considered invasive there with the hobby blamed for introdiction. Port proximity and prevalence of shipping from their natural habitats in western Africa led me to believe they came in through the ports in the bulges of ships. Compatability is tricky as with all the Syngnathidae as they are slow and vulnerable to attack but they should be ok in a well planted tank. They were easily bred but I never could het them off live or fresh frozen foods. They took live fish fry of any species small enough, live or frozen brine shrimp, mosquito wigglers, and daphnia, live small sift mysis shrimp, and infusoria and zooplankton netted from the brackish marshes.
Good luck with them, oh, by the way, the male carries eggs like a seahorse ,
Larry R


Tom
A follow up on the way African coastal species wind up on Carribean islands. A discussion I participated in years ago suggested that brackish water species may actually ride the hurricanes on rafts of vegetation. The idea went like this, during the storm buildup along the African coast a large mass of vegetation got washed asea. Inside this mess were coastal specimens that had taken refuge from the building storm. Caught up in the current and pushed westward by the storm they were bathed in the rains of hurricane keeping the surface salinity low enough for their survival until they made landfall. This, and bilgewater from ships could account for other invasive species, such as the Gulf coast and Florida lionfish problem, and take the hobby off the hook. I mention lionfish because mapping puts concentration around ports in spite of sportfishing concentration away from those areas.
Larry R
Pictures in next post !

Pics from today ;
Here is the tank

The #1 male .He is largest and so far stays darkest.

Inquisitive little creatures !

Maybe smiling ? I like to think my fish are happy

#2 male possibly courting a female !

Here although blurry you can see what I think is the pouch on the male

Very interesting read and WOW, very very cute little ladies and gents. Adorable, I hope you have success in breeding them! (and then preferably selling some to me haha)

 

[goldface]

Both the pipes and the halfbeaks are found in brackish water also .
If they do not breed in the water I am using I think I will change them to brackish on a seasonal schedule to emulate their nature .
Maybe I am planning too far ahead ?
I kept marine pipe fish before and these guys are just as cool and active ..

You never know until you try. I know typically brackish species like White Perch have invaded the Great Lakes, displacing other desireable food fish, like Yellow Perch. If you are successful, I may buy some off you too.

 

[coralbandit]

So these guys and girls are super active today ! Not certain but one female [?] seems to be stalking a male and then shooting all over the place .LIKE FAST !
She can front to back of the 2foot tank in a second .
Tried a couple videos but they are tough to get a good view on .I set these guys up on the rack shotgun but really want to move them to a tank I can see better...
Here's what I got and I will try for better ..

 

[DarkOne]

40s in, did you fart?

I have the same water level marks for water changes on my tanks

 

[coralbandit]

40s in, did you fart?

I am pretty 'tight ' !
Dog and his squeekee toy ! Old and still playing [like his master !]

 

[DutchAquarium]

I used to have these a while ago. One of my favorites still. If you get some freshwater amphiopods they really enjoy it and it's a extra precaution to make sure they are fed.

 

[coralbandit]

Ok I haven't kept up with thread but I am taking good care of these guys .
All are still healthy and I think Happy !




Well at least one looks happy and carrying eggs !
Hoping to move these guys soon ...

 

[goldface]

Ok I haven't kept up with thread but I am taking good care of these guys .
All are still healthy and I think Happy !




Well at least one looks happy and carrying eggs !
Hoping to move these guys soon ...

I guess they don't require brackish, after all! At least to breed. I don't recall if you mentioned this yet, but have you tried commercial dried foods, or are you strictly feeding live/frozen?

 

[coralbandit]

They get fresh hatched live BBS 2,3 times a day .I do offer 200 micron Golden pearls and 00 grow crumbles .Hard to say if they eat them though .
They seem to mostly pic the shrimp off the bottom. The tank is lousy with snails and I remove the large regularly but allow tiny and small still.
I see detritus worms on the BB but not sure they are eating them although they are not out of control.
I do offer frozen rotifers or cyclops 1 or 2 times a week.
No salt at all ! I am pretty surprised and honestly just happy they are still alive !
I am thinking of moving them to my 33long so I can watch them better,,Just need to evict the residents !

 

[Cheesecake]

Welp, I know what tank I want now.

 

[Jellibeen]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing. It’s interesting to see how they move.

 

[bitseriously]

One on my lfs often has bar-head pipes, and I’ve wanted to grab them on more than one occasion.
But I’m simply not set up (in infrastructure or in life ) to handle the live feeding and cleaning requirement.
So yet another “live vicariously through others” post. Sigh.