Tropical central Indo-Pacific, Indonesia to the Philippines; sheltered inner reefs under coral overhangs and in crevices.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
20 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. Provide overhangs and crevices. The 100-litre minimum is our estimate. The list gives 20 cm; the article gives 14 cm. 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. Not easily kept because of its need for live copepods. Usually found in pairs and acts as a cleaner fish. 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/Doryrhamphusjanssi). Checked October 2026.
Diet
Prefers live copepods and picks parasites from other fish. Offer live copepods, enriched brine shrimp and frozen mysis several small times a day.
Breeding
The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch and releases live young. Pairs may spawn in aquaria, but rearing is difficult.
Compatibility and tank mates
Reef safe. Keep with small, peaceful fish that will tolerate being cleaned; avoid fast feeders.
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.