Pipefish cleaning a copperband

[Paul B]

This is something I have not seen before with pipefish. The copperband seeks out this pipefish and they stay together while the pipefish inspects and eats irritations or maybe parasites that I can't see off the copperband.
They have been together for 15 minutes so far and the copperband seems to be smiling. The multibanded pipefish is to large to get inside his gills but he finds some bits of food on his skin. rangehat

 

[rideit6578]

sweet photo! cool relationship too

 

[oh207]

Awesome. Does that make him a pipe cleaner fish

 

[Paul B]

Yes it does. The pipefish travels around but as soon as the copperband sees him, he darts over to him and they stay together until the pipecleaner gets bored or can't find anything on him to eat.

 

[rookie07]

Wow!

 

[NYreefNoob]

my blue stripe pipe work as a cleaner also, paul if you come across the blue stripe pipe those are the one's ive found to do really well in a reef set-up handle the flow pretty well, had mine around 2 years now and kept one for 3 years in previous set-up

 

[Paul B]

I have been keeping and spawning bluestripes for many years. Here is a pregnant one.

 

[Paul B]

I got him a girlfriend today, she is a cutie

 

[oh207]

That's hot!

 

[LongIslandAndy]

Top less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Paul B]

Andy as you can see I found a source for them. There are 3 left and if I go again, I may get them

 

[ohana888]

nice!

 

[LongIslandAndy]

Andy as you can see I found a source for them. There are 3 left and if I go again, I may get them

That's great Paul, I looked over this weeks list and there were no pipefish on it

 

[Paul B]

I know, that's why I took the bull, or Pipefish into my own hands and got some. I am very resourceful. :bagfish:

There is a chance I will go out in my boat tomorrow morning to collect amphipods. (and shrimp) I am not sure because my wife is still in a lot of pain. But if you want to come, let me know.

 

[Dan_P]

Just came across this thread.

As you know I have a couple Long Island Sound Pipefish. They are incredibly intelligent looking hunters. I have seen them stalk female Grass shrimp carrying eggs. They try to get close enough to snatch the eggs carried under the shrimp's tail. They also alter colors to match their surroundings.

So, I can believe that your Pipefish sees and removes "things". Maybe the bigger surprise is that the other fish understands he is not under attack.

 

[Paul B]

I am impressed as I can't keep those Long Island pipefish for very long. Maybe I will take home some to try again. How long have you kept them and what do you normally feed them?

 

[Paul B]

Andy, I love the blue stripes I got from you guys but I am still looking for a mate for my dragon face pipe so if you get one, get a magic marker and put my name on it.

 

[Dan_P]

I am impressed as I can't keep those Long Island pipefish for very long. Maybe I will take home some to try again. How long have you kept them and what do you normally feed them?

I am only up to five weeks so far, so, we'll see if my husbandry is any good.

Mine have all taken to frozen mysis shrimp readily. Live brine shrimp are a hit too, freshly hatched of course, but frozen brine shrimp not so much. I will keep trying other food as well and keep you posted.

Good luck!

 

[Paul B]

OK I feel better. I can keep them a couple of months but that's it. I really hope you have better luck because they are such a common fish here and one pull of the two man net can yield fifty of them

 

[Dan_P]

OK I feel better. I can keep them a couple of months but that's it. I really hope you have better luck because they are such a common fish here and one pull of the two man net can yield fifty of them

I have a goal! Let's circle back in two months, three months, etc. to review Pipefish health.