Dragonface pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Bloodspot pipefish, Reef pipefish, Reeftop pipefish, Yellow-streaked pipefish
Family
Syngnathidae (pipefishes and seahorses)
Origin
Tropical Indo-Pacific, East Africa to Vanuatu; shallow sand near reefs, seagrass, coral and rock, 0–20 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
18 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
100 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

Pipefish are slow, deliberate feeders. Keep them in a calm, mature tank with plenty of live rock and a population of copepods, with no fast or boisterous tankmates. The 100-litre minimum is our estimate; a refugium to culture copepods helps a lot. It does not tolerate salinity swings. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity SG 1.023–1.026, with stable, well-oxygenated water. Cryptic and rarely leaves cover. Pairs are monogamous for the breeding season and greet each other each morning. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Only seahorses (Hippocampus) in this family are CITES-listed. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corythoichthyshaematopterus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Picks tiny planktonic crustaceans, mainly copepods, while anchored to coral. Needs a mature tank with a large live copepod population, plus live or frozen copepods.

Breeding

Breeds from April to October in the wild, pairs mating about eight times a season. The male broods the eggs for 9–19 days and does all the parental care; larvae drift for about a month.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe. Keep only with calm, slow fish that will not compete for copepods; mandarins and other copepod eaters compete for the same food.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.