{"product_id":"banded-pipefish","title":"Banded Pipefish","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eBiosecurity Shipping Limitations apply\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShipping Allowed?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; height: 79.3752px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eTasmania\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #00ff80;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6bb71f;\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eWestern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #00ff2a;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6bb71f;\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eNorthern Territory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003eAll Other States\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6bb71f;\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBanded Pipefish\u003c\/strong\u003e is a striking marine fish recognised by its extremely elongated body, long tubular snout and contrasting red, white and dark bands. It is also commonly known as the \u003cstrong\u003eRinged Pipefish\u003c\/strong\u003e. The species reaches around \u003cstrong\u003e18–20 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e and occurs throughout tropical Indo-Pacific waters, including Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBanded Pipefish naturally inhabit \u003cstrong\u003ereef caves, crevices, overhangs and sheltered areas\u003c\/strong\u003e, where they spend much of their time searching for tiny crustaceans and other planktonic food. Their specialised mouth makes them slow, deliberate feeders rather than aggressive competitors at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are best suited to \u003cstrong\u003emature, peaceful marine aquariums\u003c\/strong\u003e with plenty of live rock, caves and established populations of copepods and amphipods. A refugium can be particularly beneficial as a continual source of natural prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause they are slow feeders, Banded Pipefish should not be housed with highly aggressive or fast-feeding tank mates that can outcompete them for food. Gentle water movement and numerous sheltered areas help them settle and feed naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eDunckerocampus dactyliophorus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Banded Pipefish \/ Ringed Pipefish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Syngnathidae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marine Fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to approximately 18–20 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Expert\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Aquarium:\u003c\/strong\u003e 200 L+\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–27°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.0–8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.023–1.026 SG\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore; copepods, amphipods, enriched frozen foods and other small meaty foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bottom \/ rockwork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally reef compatible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mature, established aquarium strongly recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnvironment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Live rock, caves, crevices and sheltered areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Tank Mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful, slow-moving species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does a Banded Pipefish get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBanded Pipefish can reach approximately \u003cstrong\u003e18–20 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e in length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does a Banded Pipefish eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey naturally feed on small crustaceans and planktonic organisms, particularly copepods and amphipods. Established live rock and a refugium can help provide a continuous natural food source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the Banded Pipefish reef safe?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is generally considered reef compatible and is not known for damaging corals. Its specialised feeding requirements are the main consideration when keeping it in a reef aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan Banded Pipefish be kept with other fish?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can, but tank mates should be \u003cstrong\u003epeaceful and non-competitive\u003c\/strong\u003e. Fast-feeding or aggressive fish can make it difficult for a pipefish to obtain enough food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need live rock?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive rock is highly beneficial because it provides caves and crevices for shelter as well as surfaces supporting natural populations of copepods and amphipods. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Banded Pipefish suitable for beginners?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This is an \u003cstrong\u003eadvanced marine fish\u003c\/strong\u003e best suited to experienced aquarists with a mature aquarium and an established feeding system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a Banded Pipefish to a newly established aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping it with aggressive or extremely fast-feeding fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAssuming frozen food alone will always provide enough nutrition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot maintaining adequate copepod and amphipod populations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing excessively strong flow that makes feeding difficult.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping it in an aquarium without caves, overhangs and sheltered areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50599444185227,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/mujeVhIKpBuWs7UYUqRkF4svkDHAlrgo3H0jlrsbdB8_Lj8zMP-pERnmurWtD3Vp9UoE2JDLzq9oSJCnQNAlrDIgwrL6a1w_QKFUnSUdK2MOxgXdxYVQUEK2m5ciVB-Cn8jAIH1i6N8xZ6cE6ctLqxl18r7OksXcQiFjY5_ng4oADCR9n4eaab4.jpg?v=1791185205","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/banded-pipefish","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}