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Seahorses and Pipefish: Seahorses and Pipefish belong to the
Syngnathidae family. Seahorses are classified in the genus Hippocampus, and most Pipefish are classified as Syngnathinae or
Doryrhamphinae. The average size in an aquarium of most Seahorses is approximately five inches, and most Pipefish reach a
length of eight inches. The largest Seahorse can reach a height of over 14 inches in the wild. All these fish have bony
plates on their bodies with elongated snouts. Seahorses are found in temperate and tropical waters around the world, in
shallow reefs, or in algae and grass beds. They live mainly on small crustaceans and small fish. Most Seahorses and
Pipefish have the ability to change color to match their environment, reducing the risk of being spotted by a predator.
Seahorses and Pipefish are relatively hardy and adjust well to life in an aquarium if provided with the proper environment. Seahorses and Pipefish swim very slowly, and have difficulty competing for food when other fish are present in the aquarium. For this reason, these fish are best kept in a species tank, containing only Seahorses and Pipefish. In an aquarium, these fish usually prefer live foods such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, small ghost shrimp, or copepods and amphipods found in live rock. The Seahorses and Pipefish's diet should consist of small live invertebrates such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, baby guppies, grass shrimp, mosquito larva, and daphnia. Frozen mysid shrimp will provide good nutrition if they eat them. Seahorses and Pipefish will need to be fed at least three times per day, and they are very slow eaters because of thier tiny mouth. Click on thumbnails for more information.
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