Pipefish

[Onoma1]

I was given a 1cm pipefish about a year ago by my LFS as they had one delivered in error and as 'I like a tiny fish' would I like it? I released it into my paludarium and carefully added live food, however, only saw it once (about six months ago). It's just reappeared and is about 2cm long and seems fit and healthy. I think it's
Hippichthys spicifer or Microphis aculeatus.

I tried to take a picture however, wasn't quite fast enough. I will probably get another chance in six months time!

I am interested in getting a few more as I understand they do better in groups. Does anyone have any ideas where I could buy a few (on-line or in the north).

 

[Fishfur]

I was given a 1cm pipefish about a year ago by my LFS as they had one delivered in error and as 'I like a tiny fish' would I like it? I released it into my paludarium and carefully added live food, however, only saw it once (about six months ago). It's just reappeared and is about 2cm long and seems fit and healthy. I think it's
Hippichthys spicifer or Microphis aculeatus.

I tried to take a picture however, wasn't quite fast enough. I will probably get another chance in six months time!

I am interested in getting a few more as I understand they do better in groups. Does anyone have any ideas where I could buy a few (on-line or in the north).

Getting a good clear image could be important to be sure your speculative ID choices are accurate.

Both species you mention are not exactly tiny - they mature in the neighborhood of 15cm length though of course they are very skinny.

After a year, if your fish is only 2cm long it doesn’t sound right for either of those species.

Any chance it might be Indostomus paradoxus or I.crocodilus? The size would fit - they are indeed very small fish - mature length is only about 3cm.

 

[Onoma1]

@fishfuthany thank you for the advice and the rapid response. While it's colour was similar to the Indostomus paradoxus it didn't have a dorsal fin (that I could see) and had a different body shape with a long elongated 'snake like' body shape and the head and face of a pipefish. I will need to get a clear photo, however think it will be a few more months before I see it again. Is there any other pipefish that you know of with a similar size?

 

[Courtneybst]

Following along for intrigue!

 

[Gill]

Whatever it turns out to be, will be fun watching it grow when it appears for a glimpse.
I tend to find them online sometimes, very rarely in an a tual store. And if so are martensi.
They do like to predate on shrimp/shrimplets etc. And will stalk a Berried female to snatch from her developing eggs.
I would have a look at contacting Ste at premier aquatics in runcorn. Or riverpark aquatics online, Never had a problem with either of them.