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Short-Tailed Pipefish (Microphis brachyurus)

Find Short-Tailed Pipefish across reef-livestock retailers on ReefDock. Compare sources, check known pricing where available, and review care information before you buy.

Short-Tailed Pipefish
Photo: The image created by © Yuriy Kvach · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Where to buy Short-Tailed Pipefish

ReefDock searches the following reef retailers for this fish. Click through to see the live price.

  • Saltwaterfish

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    Search Saltwaterfish
  • Amazon

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    Search Amazon
  • Petco

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    Search Petco

About Short-Tailed Pipefish

Short-tailed pipefish are elongated, slender fish with a tubular snout and a prehensile tail. Coloration varies from brown to greenish-brown with subtle mottling; they possess a segmented, armored body typical of syngnathids and blend well with seagrass and weedy habitats.

Key facts

Difficulty Level
Advanced - Requires experienced care due to sensitive nature specific habitat needs or complex dietary requirements. Best for expert aquarists.
Diet Details
Feed small live foods such as copepods, amphipods, and small mysid shrimp. Frozen mysis shrimp may be accepted with patience and conditioning. Multiple small feedings daily are essential since pipefish have tiny mouths and high metabolic rates.
Reef safety
Reef Safe
Care Level
Hard
Diet
carnivore
Care Requirements
• Minimum 20-gallon tank with calm flow (0.5–1 knot) • Water: 72–78°F, pH 7.8–8.3, sg 1.020–1.024 • Requires live foods: copepods, amphipods, small mysis shrimp • Peaceful tank only; avoid aggressive or large tankmates • Excellent hiding places with seagrass or macro algae
Temperament
Peaceful
Common Health Issues
Marine ich, Fin Rot, Swim Bladder Disease, Bacterial Infections, Parasitic Infestations
Origin
Indo-Pacific, including coastal waters from East Africa through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia.
Feeding Schedule
Feed 2-3 times daily
Max Size
5
Appearance
Short-tailed pipefish are elongated, slender fish with a tubular snout and a prehensile tail. Coloration varies from brown to greenish-brown with subtle mottling; they possess a segmented, armored body typical of syngnathids and blend well with seagrass and weedy habitats.

Research before you buy

ReefDock is the sister app to Reef Trak. Use Reef Trak to research and log fish, keep tank parameters organized, and maintain a complete livestock history. Log this fish on Reef Trak.

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