| Dragonface pipefish are members of the family | | | | an aid to swimming. These are stronger swimmers |
| Syngnathidae. This family is comprised of over 50 | | | | than those who lack tail fins. Dragonfaces lack this |
| individual species. It includes all pipefish and their very | | | | adaptation. They are quite poor swimmers, especially |
| close relatives the seahorse. There are two different | | | | when up against strong currents. They have, |
| species called dragonface pipefish. Corythoichthys | | | | however, developed prehensile tails much like |
| haematopterus is more commonly referred to as | | | | seahorses. This gives them the ability to anchor |
| South Pacific or Tongan Dragonface Pipefish. | | | | themselves to stationary objects to avoid being |
| Corythoichthys intestinalis is known as the West | | | | swept away. |
| Pacific or Indonesian dragonface. These two species | | | | Like seahorses, these are exceptionally social |
| have slight variations in their body markings but look | | | | creatures. A group of dragonfaces is much more |
| similar enough to one another to be indistinguishable | | | | likely to successfully adapt to life in captivity than a |
| to anyone save maybe an ichthyologist. The fact | | | | solitary specimen. These are very docile creatures |
| that each dragonface's patterning is distinctive unto | | | | and should not be mixed with larger or more |
| itself (just like seahorses) further complicates a | | | | aggressive species. Nor should they be housed with |
| layman's efforts. There are over 12 subspecies based | | | | fast swimmers as they can easily be out competed |
| on regional differentiation of these two species. | | | | for food. Gobies, dragnets, firefish and seahorses |
| A close look at a pipefish will reveal that these are | | | | make for ideal tank mates. Dragons may, however, |
| indeed closely related to seahorses. They look very | | | | out compete seahorses for food. A group of several |
| much like a small snake with the head of a seahorse. | | | | in a multi-species environment will require a minimum |
| It is probably fair to say that these are seahorses | | | | tanks size of 50 gallons. As to whether or not they |
| that failed to achieve vertical orientation. While | | | | are suitable for marine reef aquariums, this depends |
| patterning does vary considerably from one individual | | | | on the aquarium's population. They should not be |
| to another, the base color of their bodies is generally | | | | housed with anemones or corals with stinging |
| cream. Patterning may be black, various shades of | | | | tentacles. Since they are inclined to seek refuge in |
| grey, pink, yellow or brown. Like seahorses, the | | | | fauna, you should not house them with corals large |
| pigmentation in these creatures is not fixed. They | | | | enough to consume them. Although not officially not |
| have the ability to morph their color patterning to | | | | officially classified as a bottom dweller, pipe fish |
| blend in with their immediate surroundings. This form | | | | spend an inordinate amount of time near the bottom |
| of camouflage is extremely effective against | | | | of an aquarium. Crustaceans with pinchers can and |
| predation. Dragonfaces are also marketed by the | | | | most likely will inflict damage upon them. |
| aquarium industry under the pseudonyms network | | | | Pipefish carry an expert aquarist care level for the |
| pipefish, reeftop pipefish, messmate pipefish and | | | | same reason seahorses do. This is primarily due to |
| banded messmate pipefish. The latter reference is | | | | their dietary habits in nature. Pipe fish are carnivorous. |
| not to be confused with a banded pipefish. This is an | | | | Their diet is comprised almost exclusively of live |
| entirely different species. | | | | copepods found in reef formations and on live rock. |
| Dragonsfaces are relatively small creatures. They will | | | | An abundance of live rock is mandatory for these |
| reach a maximum adult length of 7 inches. They have | | | | creatures' survival. When they are first introduced to |
| long cylindrical shaped bodies that taper into a tail | | | | an aquarium, dragons can be fed Nutramar Tigrio Live |
| section. Like seahorses, they have a highly modified | | | | Copepods and vitamin enriched brine shrimp. In time, |
| skeletal system that forms into a type of armored | | | | they may become accustomed to eating non-living |
| plating. This external skeleton is a means of self | | | | food offerings. If you are keeping you pipefish in a |
| defense and should not be confused with their | | | | reef aquarium, they will prove a beneficial resource. |
| internal skeletal system. They are vertebrates and | | | | Once they are feeding they will rid your Acropora |
| have spines. This dermal skeletal system is composed | | | | coral of red bugs; a micro-amphipod that commonly |
| of a series of longitudinal ridges. All pipefish have | | | | infests these coral. |
| dorsal fins. None have ventral fins. In some species | | | | Dragons have been known to breed in captivity, but |
| the dorsal fin is the primary means of locomotion. | | | | not with the frequency found in their prolific cousins |
| Dragonfaces, however, move through the water | | | | the seahorse. Like seahorses, the male will carry the |
| much more like an eel would. They slither over | | | | eggs in a brood pouch through the maturation |
| substrate and rock formations using snake-like | | | | process. |
| motions. Many species have developed caudal fins as | | | | |