Banded Pipefish - Philippines

Dunckerocampus dactyliophorus

The Banded Pipefish is a peaceful, reef-safe species admired for its slender, elongated body and striking red-and-white banded pattern. Its tubular snout and flowing dorsal and caudal fins give it a graceful, snake-like swimming style that adds elegance and movement to any reef aquarium. In the wild, Banded Pipefish are often found weaving through coral branches and rubble, feeding on tiny crustaceans and plankton. In the aquarium, they thrive in well-established reef tanks with plenty of live rock or branching corals to provide shelter and resting spots. This species is gentle and slow-moving, so it does best with peaceful tankmates and may need assistance competing for food in more aggressive setups. Banded Pipefish feed on small live or frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, copepods, and other microcrustaceans. Frequent, small feedings help maintain their health, coloration, and active behavior. Growing to about 8 inches in length, the Banded Pipefish is an elegant and captivating addition to community and reef aquariums, offering unique natural behavior and visual appeal that enhances the diversity and charm of the tank.