Keeping pipefish, what is your take on this?

[windcoast reefs]

They are a tough one to keep. I've never seen one in a fish only tank. I would first get some corals in the tank, let the get established and the put one in. I'm pretty sure most pipefish eat parasites off of corals as well as like to hide in them. Make sure you have a healthy pod population.

I wouldn't be to worried about the other fish, when progressive reef was open, they had 2 in there SPS tank that was filled with all kinds of tangs. Nothing bothered it, they were always out and about.

[mandyplo]

Thanks - my rock structures are large and have tons of hiding places, but I see what you mean. My only worry is that any large sps pieces for the pipefish to hide in would cost me a fortune, or if I bought frags would take me a long time to grow them out. I've had better luck with softies in the past than sps - do you think pipe fish would benefit from corals like kenya trees, hammers, torches, etc. That they could hide in? As well as zoas palys mushrooms for the pipefish graze on parasites?