Bluestripe Pipefish
Doryrhamphus excisus
The bluestripe pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus) is a small and colorful reef-dwelling pipefish known for its specialized diet, peaceful nature, and occasional cleaning behavior.
Water Temperature
22 - 27 °C
pH Value
8.1 - 8.4
Water type
Marine
Tank level
Bottom and middle
Adult size
7 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 80 L
Minimum group
>= 2
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the coast of Mexico and the Galapagos. Inhabits shaded reef crevices, caves, undercuts, and rocky shores, down to depths of 45 meters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Syngnathidae. Features a highly elongated, needle-like body, reaching a maximum length of 6-8 cm. Possesses a fan-shaped caudal fin, a thin tube-like snout, and is toothless.
Social Behavior: Found singly or in stable mated pairs. They are cryptic and spend much time in shaded rocky areas. Exhibit strong territorial aggression toward same-sex conspecifics. Occasionally act as cleaner fish, picking parasites off larger fish.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Spectacular coloration featuring a bright neon blue longitudinal stripe running along the back on a vivid orange to yellow background. The caudal fin is red or black with yellow borders. Males have serrated ridges on their snout and a ventral brood pouch.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Requires an aquarium of at least 100-120 liters (30 gallons) with extensive live rockwork forming crevices, caves, and overhangs. Water movement should be low to moderate, and the system must be mature to support natural microfauna.
Diet and Feeding: Specialized micro-predator. Feeds almost exclusively on live copepods, amphipods, and other benthic microfauna. Can be difficult to feed; acclimated individuals may accept tiny frozen foods (like Cyclops or baby brine shrimp) offered 3-4 times daily.
Water Quality: Demands stable and pristine reef parameters: temperature 22-26°C (72-79°F), pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025 SG, and very low nutrient levels. Sudden changes in chemistry are poorly tolerated.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent reef-safe community fish. Compatible with peaceful tankmates like dragonets, small gobies, seahorses, and cardinalfish. Incompatible with aggressive, fast feeders (like large tangs or dottybacks) and large stinging invertebrates.
Aquarium Breeding: Form stable mated pairs. The female deposits eggs onto the male's abdomen, where they are incubated until hatching. The pelagic larvae are released at night, and raising them is extremely difficult, requiring tiny live plankton cultures.
Risks and Diseases: The main risk is starvation if the tank lacks microfauna or if tankmates outcompete them for food. Sensitive to bacterial infections and cannot tolerate copper-based medications. A secure lid is needed to prevent jumping.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the coast of Mexico and the Galapagos. Inhabits shaded reef crevices, caves, undercuts, and rocky shores, down to depths of 45 meters.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsCentral America and CaribbeanAfrica and Madagascar
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Territorial
- It is generally peaceful towards other species. However, it can be extremely aggressive towards conspecifics of the same sex. A bonded pair will remain close together peacefully.
- Diet
- Carnivore
- This species is a strict carnivore. It constantly hunts for small crustaceans like copepods. Frozen small mysis can sometimes be accepted with training.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- In a well-managed and mature marine aquarium, this species has a life expectancy that typically ranges from 3 to 5 years. The stability of physical and chemical parameters and an uninterrupted supply of nutrients are crucial factors for reaching this milestone. Providing a varied and vitamin-rich diet slows down biological cellular aging.
- Adult size
- 7 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 7 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 7 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Doryrhamphus excisus (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Pair
- They are best kept in mated pairs. Two males will often fight aggressively. Females may also show aggression towards other females.
- Feeding frequency
- 2-3 times daily
- It needs a constant supply of food. The tank must have an established population of microfauna. Supplemental feeding should occur at least twice daily.
- Bioload
- This pipefish has a very small bioload. It produces minimal waste relative to the tank volume. Maintaining pristine water quality is still highly necessary.
- Flow
- Moderate
- It prefers moderate water flow within the aquarium. Gentle currents help disperse its tiny prey items. High flow areas should be avoided.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They frequently spawn in captivity. The male carries the eggs on his belly until hatching. Rearing the fry requires microscopic live foods.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- It is best housed with peaceful, non-aggressive tank mates. Large or aggressive fish may view it as food. It can coexist with small gobies and gentle invertebrates.
- Tank level
- Middle/Bottom
- It prefers to explore rockwork and crevices. It spends most of its time in the lower half of the tank. It swims openly only when hunting or courting.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
