Alligator Pipefish

The alligator pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus, is a seahorse relative with a long, slender body and tubular feeding snout. It is a specialist choice for a quiet aquarium designed around small prey, shelter and careful feeding observation.

Provide a mature habitat with suitable vegetation or other cover and gentle areas where the fish can hunt. Supply appropriately sized live crustaceans, introducing suitable frozen foods only as the individual accepts them. Public aquariums have maintained this species on combinations of mysis and enriched brine shrimp; an individual fish's feeding response still needs to be checked.

Fast-feeding tankmates can leave a pipefish undernourished. Avoid fish or invertebrates that bite, nip or sting it, and monitor body condition closely. Several purposeful feeding opportunities are more useful than assuming a mature aquarium supplies unlimited prey.