African Freshwater Pipefish
Genus: Enneacampus
Species: E. ansorgii
Maximum Size: 6”
Aggression: Low, Social
Temperature: 75-82 F
pH: 7-8
Hardness: 10-25 dH
Brackish Tolerance: 1.000-1.005
Minimum Tank Size: 20 to 30 gallons most recommended
Feeding: Smaller live foods like brine shrimp, ghost shrimp, and livebearer fry. Can eventually be weaned onto smaller frozen foods like brine and Mysis shrimp and krill
Notes: The African Freshwater Pipefish (AFP) is one of the many fish of the family Syngnathidae (which also include seahorses). Although a freshwater fish in the wild, the AFP is likely best kept in low end brackish conditions of at least 1.002.
Although they are not aggressive fish and behaviorally are likely compatible with other non-offensive fish, all Pipefish are likely best kept in species only tanks. They are extremely slow feeders and spend lots of time stalking food prior to ingesting. It takes time to wean them onto frozen foods and will likely need a steady supply of smaller live foods to do well when first purchased. It is easier to keep them fed in smaller tanks as there is less room for food to escape or hide in. Tank decor should contain heavily planted areas for them to hide in.
Though uncommonly bred in the home aquaria, they reproduce like other Pipefish; females deposit eggs in the male’s specialized pouch and after a time, batches of live fry hatch at the same time.
Sources
Pipefish Enneacampus ansorgii, Diszhal
Pipefishes (family Syngnathidae), Neale Monks
Freshwater Seahorses? Fresh and Brackish Pipefish: A Challenge For the Advanced Aquarist, Neale Monks
