Wet Nerd
Member
RATE MY NEW TANK!
- Thread starter Wet Nerd
- Start date
Since the photo seems to show just the fire shrimp, it's not possible to comment on your rock scape.
From your description I would recommend the following -
Increase the amount of live rock to about 1 pound per gallon. This is about the minimum needed long term. Dry base rock could be used. It will become live rock in time.
Return the dragon face pipefish to your LFS. This is a very difficult fish to maintain due to it's feeding requirements.
You don't tell us ho deep your sandbed is, but go with something that is an inch or less or 4 inches or more. In a smaller tank, like you have, I think 1 inch or less is the way to go.
From your description I would recommend the following -
Increase the amount of live rock to about 1 pound per gallon. This is about the minimum needed long term. Dry base rock could be used. It will become live rock in time.
Return the dragon face pipefish to your LFS. This is a very difficult fish to maintain due to it's feeding requirements.
You don't tell us ho deep your sandbed is, but go with something that is an inch or less or 4 inches or more. In a smaller tank, like you have, I think 1 inch or less is the way to go.
Wet Nerd
Member
Thanks for the reply! My tank is teeming with pods, my pipefish has been in there for a 1.5 months and is going strong. The rock is super porous so i think it's okay with just 4 fish. If you scroll down, you can see more than the shrimp, it's a picture album online
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Wet Nerd
Member
It would be awesome if you could review the rock scape!
SubRosa
Well-Known Member
1.5 months is nothing. You need to think 1.5 years into the future. If you do that, you'll see your Pipefish's future isn't very bright.Thanks for the reply! My tank is teeming with pods, my pipefish has been in there for a 1.5 months and is going strong. The rock is super porous so i think it's okay with just 4 fish. If you scroll down, you can see more than the shrimp, it's a picture album online
I am afraid for many pipefish the ^ is true most stare to death
Nice looking rock !
Nice looking rock !
Wet Nerd
Member
Hmm. So you think it will starve? I would think if it didn't starve yet, the copepods are reproducing faster than they are being eaten. I'm considering returning it... Also, could i do 5 fish for the tank?
If it helps...
Liveaquaria carry several Pipefish... they rate them as... Care Level: Expert Only
We guarantee that ALL aquaria species we offer will arrive alive and in good condition. However, because of the increased level of care required for this particular species, it has been designated as "Expert Only." This species is recommended only for the expert aquarist, zoo, or research institution.
From all the post I have read on RS, it's very very hard to have them live even a year. There are exceptions, but even supplementing pods, most don't make it a year.
See what others advise... they are beautiful fish & very cool ! I would love to have some, but I won't try "Expert Only" fish
Liveaquaria carry several Pipefish... they rate them as... Care Level: Expert Only
We guarantee that ALL aquaria species we offer will arrive alive and in good condition. However, because of the increased level of care required for this particular species, it has been designated as "Expert Only." This species is recommended only for the expert aquarist, zoo, or research institution.
From all the post I have read on RS, it's very very hard to have them live even a year. There are exceptions, but even supplementing pods, most don't make it a year.
See what others advise... they are beautiful fish & very cool ! I would love to have some, but I won't try "Expert Only" fish
Wet Nerd
Member
Hmm. I get what you're saying, but i don't see why it will do any better at the pet shop. I can't return it to its natural habitat. I see no point in returning it. I'm just going to take care of him as much as a I can and not get another one.
Ok, I see your rockwork now. That is actually well done, except for the total amount of rock.
Here is the thing, You need about a 50 gal tank with a full amount of live rock to produce enough pods for a pipefish. Luckily you don't have any fish that will directly compete for pods with your pipefish.
Another way to do this is set up a baby brine shrimp feeder, similar to what Paul B has on his reef. This does mean you need to hatch out baby brine shrimp, setting up a hatching about every day.
You can also try frozen foods like blood worms. Sometimes you get a fish that will take them, but this isn't too likely.
If you can't meet the feeding requirements, and don't want to return the fish, sell, trade or give it away to someone that can.
Here is the thing, You need about a 50 gal tank with a full amount of live rock to produce enough pods for a pipefish. Luckily you don't have any fish that will directly compete for pods with your pipefish.
Another way to do this is set up a baby brine shrimp feeder, similar to what Paul B has on his reef. This does mean you need to hatch out baby brine shrimp, setting up a hatching about every day.
You can also try frozen foods like blood worms. Sometimes you get a fish that will take them, but this isn't too likely.
If you can't meet the feeding requirements, and don't want to return the fish, sell, trade or give it away to someone that can.