Bluestripe pipefish

The bluestripe pipefish is a tiny member of the family Syngnathidae, related to seahorses, found on reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific. Its very slender, elongated body is orange to reddish with an iridescent blue lateral stripe and a small flared tail fin. It is a shy, peaceful fish that lives among rockwork, ledges, and caves, often seen hovering in pairs or small groups in sheltered spots. It moves slowly and is easily outcompeted by faster tank mates. Successful care requires a mature reef aquarium rich in live copepods and other tiny crustaceans, ideally with plenty of live rock and refugium production. It generally ignores frozen foods at first and needs a peaceful, predator-free setting. Captive breeding is uncommon; males brood eggs on the underside of the body as in other pipefishes.