Bluestripe Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus)
Fish in the family Syngnathidae. Expert care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
The Bluestripe Pipefish is a slender, elongated syngnathid with a tubular snout and segmented body. It features distinctive blue horizontal stripes running along a pale or yellowish body, with a thin prehensile tail. The body shape is characteristic of pipefishes, much narrower than seahorses but similarly adapted for slow, deliberate movement through dense vegetation.
Diet and feeding
Feed small live foods such as copepods, amphipods, and newly hatched brine shrimp multiple times daily. Dried foods are rarely accepted; frozen mysis may be tried but live microfauna is strongly preferred.
Difficulty and care for the Bluestripe Pipefish
The Bluestripe Pipefish is best suited to experienced aquarists. It requires constant availability of live microfauna, stable water conditions, and specialized care to prevent competition at feeding. Its delicate nature and specialized diet make it unsuitable for beginners or community setups.
Common health issues
Marine ich, Fin Rot, Swim Bladder Disorder, Hole-in-the-Head, Columnaris Disease
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region from Indonesia and the Philippines to the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. Found in shallow reef environments and seagrass beds.
Log Bluestripe Pipefish in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Bluestripe Pipefish alongside everything else in your reef.
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