Seahorses

Freshwater "Seahorses" - Pipefishes

© ATCGV The fresh water seahorses do not exist, but only the kind pipefishes, which are living in fresh and brackish water. There are seventeen species of different colours, mainly the Syngnathus Microphis. The Enneacampus (other name : Syngnathus Pulchellus, Syngnathus Pulchelus, Syngnathus Ansorgii, Syngnathus Olsooni) ) can also be kept in fresh water. In their natural environment they live indifferently in fresh water (adults) or in brackish water. When kept in a tanks it is preferable to put them in slightly brackish water (density around 1005) , which is profitable for their life duration and for some plants as well. As for marine pipefishes it is difficult to differentiate sexes, the male pouch being visible only when bearing babies. This kind of pipefishes is scarce and hard to find though they are not yet protected . Geographical origin : Asia, Africa, Madagascar, Reunion, Maurice Island, American Atlantic Coast. They live in rivers and estuaries. The numerous books explaining how to equip a fresh water aquarium may be used to keep fresh water pipefishes. There is no need then to detail the subject. In brackish water, the aquarium must be adapted to a half-marine environment. A 100 liter aquarium is necessary. The keeping rules of fresh water pipefishes is the same as the marine species. They must be kept with the same care, because quite so sensitive. They should be kept in a tank of their own in order to avoid food concurrence and to assure them optimal conditions. Like the marine pipefishes and seahorses, fresh water pipefishes are slow and dislike the presence of excited fish. They could starve and die. The same adaptation rules concerning marine pipefishes and seahorses apply to fresh water pipefishes. Water quality : Microphis Temperature : 25 to 28 degrees Celsius around 77,0 to 82,5 Fahrenheit, (26 degrees Celsius arount 78,8 Fahrenheit for reproduction) PH : 7.0 to 7.5 (7.5 for reproduction) Hardness : 10 °d GH to 25 °d GH Ammonium = 0, Nitrites = 0, Nitrates = 0 Enneacampus Temperature : 22 to 28 degrees Celsius around 71,6 to 82,5 Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius around 77,0 Fahrenheit for reproduction) PH : 7.8 to 8.2 (8.0 for reproduction) Hardness : 16 °d GH à 20 °d GH (18 °d GH for reproduction) Ammonium= 0, Nitrites = 0, Nitrates = 0 Pulchellus Temperature : 24 to 28 degrees Celsius around 75,2 to 82,5 Fahrenheit (26 degrees around 78,8 Fahrenheit for reproduction) PH : 7.0 à 8.0 ( 7.5 for reproduction) Hardness : 17 °d GH à 25 °d GH Ammonium = 0, Nitrites = 0, Nitrates = 0 Food : This is the main problem especially during the adaptability period as the mouth is small and the appetite big . The use of small living preys is recommended: cyclops, artemia, guppys babies... These pipefishes do not adapt easily to frozen food but it is possible. If the preys swim too fast they will find it difficult to catch them. Feed twice a day (good rations). Babies' food : plankton, especially cyclops and new hatched artemia. Feed at least 4 times a day (good rations). The Pipefishes tank of Gilbert