Banded Pipefish (Doryrhamphus Dactyliophorus)

The Banded Pipefish is a graceful marine species distinguished by its slender body banded in alternating red/black and white/yellow rings, finished with a striking flag-like tail. As a peaceful reef inhabitant native to the Indo-Pacific, it brings fascinating natural cleaning behaviors and visual intrigue to specialized marine systems.

This expert-level fish thrives in mature, highly stable aquariums with peaceful tankmates and requires a consistent supply of live micro-fauna such as copepods. Safe with corals and mild invertebrates, it makes an exceptional addition for experienced aquarists seeking unique Syngnathidae species.

Key Features

Highlights

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus
• Primary Common Name: Banded Pipefish
• Other Common Names: Ringed Pipefish, Flagtail Pipefish, Red Banded Pipefish
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to Samoa, north to Japan, south to Australia)
• Max Size: Up to 7.5 inches (19 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful (Best kept in pairs)
• Diet: Carnivore (Relies on a constant supply of live copepods)
• Minimum Tank Size: 50+ Gallons (Highly stable, mature system recommended)
• Reef Compatibility: With Caution (Avoid stinging corals/anemones)
• Aquarist Level: Expert Only

Materials & care

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This fish is a dedicated Carnivore with an extremely small, tubular mouth. Its diet must consist primarily of live foods, such as live copepods (like Tisbe, Tigriopus, or Apocyclops), enriched live baby brine shrimp, and rotifers. They are constant, slow feeders and require an environment where they do not compete with faster fish for food.
• Feeding: It is crucial to maintain a massive, constantly reproducing population of live copepods in the display tank and/or a connected refugium. While captive-bred specimens are sometimes trained to accept small frozen foods (like Cyclop-Eeze or tiny mysis shrimp), this must be supplemented with live fare.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe With Caution. They pose no threat to corals but can be harmed by invertebrates with stinging tentacles, such as anemones or large corals like brain corals. They are generally safe with ornamental shrimp and snails but should be protected from larger, predatory inverts (like certain crabs).
• Temperament: It is Peaceful. The Banded Pipefish is highly social and should ideally be kept as a mated pair or in small groups. They should only be housed with very small, equally peaceful, and slow-moving tankmates, such as firefish, mandarins, seahorses, and non-aggressive gobies.
• Breeding: The Banded Pipefish is a pouch-brooder, meaning the female deposits her eggs into a specialized pouch on the male's underside, where he carries them until they hatch. Captive breeding is possible.

Compatibility

Best kept with small, docile, slow-moving species such as mandarins, seahorses, firefish, and gentle gobies. Avoid fast-feeding competitors, aggressive crabs, and stinging corals or anemones.

Important Fulfillment Information

Fish and corals ship Monday through Thursday. Not all fish are sexed. If so it will specify.

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Shipping Cost Disclosure

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