Freshwater Pipefish (Doryichthys martensii) Delicate, graceful and completely unlike conventional aquarium fish, the Freshwater Pipefish is a fascinating Southeast Asian species related to seahorses. Its slender body, tubular snout and gentle hovering movements make it an exceptional feature fish for experienced aquarists with mature, peaceful aquariums and reliable access to appropriately sized live foods. Quick Facts Scientific name: Doryichthys martensii Common name: Freshwater Pipefish, Martens’ Freshwater Pipefish Current size: Please refer to the selected size option Adult size: Approximately 12–15 cm Tank size: 75L+ recommended Difficulty: 🔴 Advanced Temperament: Extremely peaceful and delicate Social needs: Best kept singly, as a pair or in a peaceful group Is this for you? ✔️ Perfect if: You want a rare and highly unusual freshwater feature species. You maintain a mature aquarium with stable water quality. You can provide small live foods several times each week. You keep only gentle tank mates that will not compete aggressively for food. ❌ Avoid if: Your aquarium is newly established or unstable. You can only provide flakes, pellets or large frozen foods. You keep fast, boisterous or aggressive fish. You want a hardy beginner species or conventional community fish. Why choose Freshwater Pipefish? Freshwater Pipefish are close relatives of seahorses and share many of their most distinctive characteristics. Their long armoured bodies, small fins and narrow tubular mouths create a graceful appearance unlike almost any other freshwater aquarium fish. Rather than chasing food aggressively, they move slowly through plants and submerged roots while searching for tiny crustaceans, insect larvae and other live prey. Their gentle hunting behaviour is fascinating to observe, but it also means they can be easily outcompeted by ordinary community fish. These pipefish are best suited to experienced aquarists who can provide a quiet, mature aquarium and monitor feeding carefully. They should be selected for their specialised behaviour and unusual appearance rather than their suitability for a general community setup. Benefits Highly unusual seahorse-like appearance Graceful hovering and hunting behaviour Completely freshwater species Extremely peaceful temperament Ideal feature fish for specialised planted aquariums Fascinating male brooding behaviour Care made simple Temperature: 24–28°C pH: 6.0–8.0 Diet: Live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, mosquito larvae, copepods and other small aquatic invertebrates Water: Very clean, stable and well oxygenated with gentle filtration Flow: Low to moderate, avoiding strong currents that make feeding difficult Setup: Dense plants, mosses, fine branches, roots and sheltered hunting areas Feed small meals regularly and confirm that each pipefish is successfully capturing food. Do not rely on dry food acceptance; many individuals require moving live prey. Pairs perfectly with Species-only aquarium (recommended) Small peaceful Rasboras Clown Killifish Pygmy Corydoras Adult peaceful freshwater shrimp, with caution NTA Insight: The greatest challenge with Freshwater Pipefish is not water chemistry—it is feeding. Their tiny tubular mouths are designed to capture small moving prey, and they may slowly lose condition if housed with faster fish or offered unsuitable food. A mature aquarium with natural microfauna, gentle flow and a dependable supply of live foods gives them the strongest chance of thriving. FAQ Is this a true freshwater pipefish? Yes. Doryichthys martensii is a freshwater pipefish from Southeast Asia and does not require marine-strength saltwater. What do Freshwater Pipefish eat? They are specialised micro-predators that feed on tiny live organisms such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, copepods and mosquito larvae. Some individuals may accept suitable frozen foods, but live food should be considered essential. Will they eat flakes or pellets? Many Freshwater Pipefish will ignore conventional flakes and pellets. They respond most reliably to appropriately sized foods that move naturally through the water. Can they live in a community aquarium? Only with great care. Tank mates must be extremely peaceful and must not outcompete them for food. A species-focused aquarium is generally the safest option. Can Freshwater Pipefish live with shrimp? They are generally peaceful toward adult shrimp, but they may consume shrimplets and other tiny crustaceans that fit inside their narrow mouths. How do Freshwater Pipefish reproduce? Like seahorses, the male carries the developing eggs in a specialised brood pouch beneath the tail until the young are released. Are Freshwater Pipefish suitable for beginners? No. They are best suited to experienced aquarists who can maintain stable water quality, provide suitable live foods and monitor each fish’s body condition closely. How can I tell whether a pipefish is eating enough? A healthy pipefish should have a straight, well-filled body without a pinched or sunken abdomen. Observe feeding directly and ensure each fish is capturing food rather than assuming it is eating.
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