Scribbled pipefish

The scribbled pipefish is a slender relative of seahorses in the family Syngnathidae, found across the Indo-Pacific on shallow reefs and rubble. Its thin, elongated body is marked with fine scribbled lines and bands, and it moves with delicate undulations of its small fins. It is a peaceful, slow-moving fish that fares poorly with boisterous or fast-feeding tankmates that outcompete it for food. It is best kept in a calm species or seahorse-style tank, singly or as a compatible pair, among gentle companions. It requires a mature aquarium rich in live rock and copepods, since it grazes continuously on tiny crustaceans throughout the day. Getting it to accept frozen foods such as small mysis can be difficult, and a steady supply of live copepods and amphipods is often needed. As with other syngnathids, the male carries the developing eggs, and captive breeding is challenging.