Blue Stripe Pipefish
Blue Stripe Pipefish
**Blue Stripe Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus)**
Elevate your reef aquarium with the exquisite Blue Stripe Pipefish, a delicate and graceful species that will captivate any observer with its vibrant blue and orange stripes. Known for their slender, elongated bodies and unique snout, these pipefish are a must-have for aquarists seeking to add a touch of elegance and distinctiveness to their marine environment.
**Care Requirements:**
The Blue Stripe Pipefish thrives in a well-established, stable reef tank. They require specific water parameters to maintain optimal health: a temperature range of 72-78°F, a pH of 8.1-8.4, and a salinity of 1.020-1.025. These pipefish prefer a peaceful environment and a minimum tank size of 30 gallons, where they can glide gracefully among corals and live rock.
**Feeding:**
Blue Stripe Pipefish have a specialized diet, primarily feeding on small live foods such as copepods and amphipods. Supplement with enriched brine shrimp or mysis shrimp to ensure a balanced diet. Regular feeding is crucial, as they have high metabolic rates and require frequent, small meals.
**Compatibility:**
Ideal for community reef tanks, the Blue Stripe Pipefish is a peaceful and social species that coexists harmoniously with other gentle tank mates. They are reef safe and will not disturb corals or invertebrates. However, caution is advised when housing them with larger, more aggressive fish that may outcompete them for food.
Introduce the Blue Stripe Pipefish to your aquarium and watch as they weave their charm through the corals, adding both beauty and a touch of rarity to your underwater world. Perfect for experienced aquarists, these pipefish offer a rewarding and mesmerizing addition to any marine setup.
Feeding & Diet
Feeding & Diet
An opportunistic omnivore, the Pithos Crab will scavenge detritus, uneaten food, and algae — making it a natural cleanup crew member. Supplement with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp or pellets 2–3x per week if natural food sources are limited.
Care & Water Parameters
Care & Water Parameters
The Pithos Crab thrives in stable, well-maintained reef conditions. Target parameters: temperature 72–78°F, salinity 1.025–1.026 SG, pH 8.1–8.4, and alkalinity 8–12 dKH. A mature, established tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended.
Reef & Tank Compatibility
Reef & Tank Compatibility
Generally considered reef-safe. The Pithos Crab coexists well with most corals and peaceful fish. Use caution with very small invertebrates or slow-moving tankmates. Provide ample rockwork and hiding spots to reduce territorial behavior.
Size & Growth
Size & Growth
Pithos Crabs are typically shipped at 0.5–1.5 inches. They are slow-growing and generally remain small, making them well-suited for nano and mid-size reef systems.
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee
All livestock ships with heat or cold packs as needed and is packaged for safe transit. We stand behind a live arrival guarantee — if your animal arrives DOA, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with a clear photo. See our full DOA policy for claim details.
Share
