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