Also Known As: Bluestripe Pipefish, Blue Stripe Flagtail Pipefish

Compatibility and Behavior
The Blue Striped Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus) is the smallest of the reef pipefishes in the hobby, a needle-thin fish in vivid orange to reddish-orange split lengthwise by a bold electric blue stripe that runs unbroken from the tip of the tubular snout to the paddle-like tail. Rather than swimming continuously, it hovers and bobs in a gentle waving motion just above the substrate, and that behavior isn't idle: in the wild these pipefish set up cleaning stations near cave and crevice entrances and pick parasites off passing fish, with records of them even servicing moray eels. It's completely reef safe and won't touch corals, clams, or ornamental inverts. It's rated expert-only for one reason, and that's feeding: the pinhole mouth takes only tiny prey, so it depends on an established microfauna population and thrives best in a mature, pod-rich system with slow, gentle tankmates. Seahorses, other pipefish, mandarin dragonets, small gobies, firefish, and cardinalfish make excellent matches, while faster feeders like tangs, dottybacks, damsels, and micropredator wrasses will outcompete it. Just as important, avoid large hermit crabs, big shrimp, anemones, and corals with potent stinging tentacles, any of which can injure or capture such a small, delicate fish. It does well in groups as well!

Aquarium Requirements
A biologically mature aquarium of 30 gallons or more is appropriate, but maturity matters far more than volume here, and a system that's been running at least six months with a healthy pod population is the real prerequisite. Aquascape with abundant live rock built into caves, crevices, and shaded overhangs that mirror the sheltered lagoon and reef-outcrop habitats this species favors, and include macroalgae to harbor copepods and give the pipefish structure to hover near. Flow should be low to gentle, since these are weak swimmers that tire in strong current, and all pump and filter intakes must be screened so the fish can't be drawn in. A fishless refugium continuously producing copepods and amphipods is the single most valuable addition for long-term success. Feed several times daily at a consistent spot, starting with live gut-loaded baby brine shrimp and live pods, then working toward frozen cyclops, Nutramar Ova, and small mysis, and keep an eye on body condition so you can step up live food if a fish starts looking thin. Keep the tank in a low-traffic area away from vibration and sudden movement.

Specifications
Approximate Size: .75-2"
Diet: Carnivore; live copepods and amphipods as the foundation, plus enriched live baby brine shrimp, with frozen cyclops, fish eggs, and small mysis accepted by settled specimens, fed 3–4 times daily
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Expert only
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Very peaceful and shy; best kept as a group of one male with several females, as rival males may fight
Special Considerations: An expert-only fish whose tiny mouth depends on an established pod population, so it thrives best in a mature, refugium-supported system with plenty of live microfauna. Keep it only with slow, gentle tankmates that won't outcompete it at feeding, and avoid using copper-based medications.