Pipefish are a comin

I am picking up a pair of juvinile yellow multibanded pipefish later this afternoon and I am getting the qt ready. I decided to use my fry tank as the qt as Its pretty much cycled with a sponge in the filter and its right next to my desk for constant observation.

Here's the QT/fry tank. I am not feeding rotifer's yet so I do not think ammonia will be a issue. Just ciliates and copopod.



Ammonia is currently 0

I was going to use just a couple pieces of pvc for shelter but I figured this would make them happier. Not to mention its alittle more attractive. I pulled the eggrate out of the tank that I was using as a shelf for the kriesel and used a magfloat to hold it in place instead. I didnt want the pipes to get scratched up by it.

I figure I can toss the pipes the occasional spawn worth of scooter eggs as treats to help fatten them up.

I lowered salinity to 1.023 and I am in the process of lowering the temp. Seems like it doesnt want to go under 75.5 though. I only have a 50watt heater turned all the way down

love the santa hat on the avatar, D, perfect for good boys and girls in the holiday season.

Why are you lowering the temperature?

Lol, the new avatar rocks!

I am lowering the temprature to make everyone on the seahorse sites happy. They insist that SH and pipes are less prone to bacterial infection in lower temperatures. It looks like they are going to have to deal with it being about 76.

Sounds and looks fine to me Male sure to snap a few pics

Silverseahorse , Hope you like it here.

cool beans D! can't wait to see the fish in there!

Originally Posted by D3monic

I am lowering the temprature to make everyone on the seahorse sites happy. They insist that SH and pipes are less prone to bacterial infection in lower temperatures. It looks like they are going to have to deal with it being about 76.

Hmmm, I guess I'll have to take your word for it, I didn't know that. Seems opposite of what I would've thought since they come from pretty warm water.

why are you lowering the salinity?

The seahorse people insist that the salinity in the QT should be 1.023ish. I normally keep my tanks at 1.026 I dont know why they like the lower salinity.

I picked up my fish today...I am very excited. I got the two pipes I wanted a red and green mandarin and a beautiful blueberry gorgonian all for $100. The store owner traded me a couple of my zoo frags for the gorg.

Pics as soon as everthing is acclimated and put in the tank.

Did they explain the science behind this mysterious logic? i highly doubt that salinity level is natural where they are found...

Awesome score man i cant wait for the pics!

Here's the pair acclimating.

Well, the lower salinity does seem to inhibit parasites in bony fish, so maybe that's why.

Silverseahorse

QT is looking good. Are the pipes eating yet?

Eating cyclopeeze

truly awesome! the pic alone was great...can't believe how much smaller the one is! ... but then the video of them eating...way cool! so why was it so dark? did the lights not come on yet or is that part of the acclimation?

No I have the kreisel in there and they where underneath it in the shade. That and the tank walls and everything are painted black so it really obsorbs light. I looked alot darker in the video than it really was.

sigh...they are fighting. I may have to seperate them somehow.....probably two males. They where getting along great at the store and when they first got here.

I will give them alittle bit to work it out before seperation.

Got to love that they are eating prepared food right off the bat. Is there a way you can tell what sex they are by looking at them?