{"product_id":"scribbled-pipefish","title":"Scribbled Pipefish | Corythoichthys intestinalis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Scribbled Pipefish is a slender, endlessly charming relative of the seahorse, marked with fine reddish-brown \"scribbles\" along its snout and body. Reaching around 18 cm, it drifts and creeps over rock and sand in search of tiny prey. This is a specialist fish that rewards patience, a mature aquarium and a dedicated keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCorythoichthys intestinalis is found across the tropical Indo-Pacific, on shallow coral reefs, rubble slopes and quiet lagoon floors. It spends its days working slowly over the substrate and live rock, picking at the film of tiny crustaceans that live there. In the aquarium it does best in a settled reef or dedicated species tank with plenty of mature live rock, gentle water movement and abundant microfauna. A newly established tank rarely provides the constant supply of small live foods this fish depends on.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is long, thin and pale, overlaid with intricate reddish to brown lines and speckles that give the \"scribbled\" name. The snout is tubular and the mouth tiny, suited to sipping minuscule prey. Movement is graceful and deliberate rather than fast. Healthy specimens are alert, feeding steadily and free of pinched bellies, cloudy eyes or lesions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a thoroughly peaceful, timid fish that will not compete with boisterous or fast-moving tank mates. It is easily out-competed at feeding time and can be stressed by aggressive fish. It is best kept in a calm reef or species tank with equally gentle companions such as small gobies, seahorses or other pipefish. Multiple pipefish can be kept together in a large, food-rich system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding is the main challenge with this species and the reason it is considered expert-only. The tiny mouth requires very small foods: live copepods, baby brine shrimp, rotifers and amphipods are ideal. Some individuals can be weaned onto enriched frozen mysis or cyclops, but many will only take live foods, so a reliable pod culture or a heavily seeded refugium is a great help. Feed small amounts several times a day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 75 L, with 100 L or more recommended, ideally as a mature reef or dedicated species aquarium. Maintain 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Keep water movement gentle so the fish is not blown about, and guard intakes so it cannot be drawn against them. Stable, pristine water and a rich population of live foods are the keys to success.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike other pipefish, males brood the eggs, carrying them on the underside of the body until the young are released. Breeding has been achieved in dedicated setups but rearing the tiny fry requires a continuous supply of appropriately sized live foods and is beyond most home aquariums. For most keepers the goal is long-term health rather than breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCorythoichthys intestinalis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScribbled Pipefish (Banded Pipefish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs, rubble slopes and lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful and delicate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpert\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger (mature system)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; tiny live foods such as copepods and baby brine, some accept enriched frozen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature, peaceful reef or dedicated species aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (safe with corals; keep only with peaceful tank mates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include small peaceful gobies, seahorses, other pipefish, firefish and other gentle, slow-feeding reef fish in a calm aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fast, boisterous or aggressive fish such as larger wrasses, dottybacks, hawkfish and triggers, as well as any species that will out-compete it for tiny foods or harass it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234120679715,"sku":"AA2979-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234120712483,"sku":"AA2979","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234120745251,"sku":"AA2979-L","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-16cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351918887203,"sku":"AA2979-XL","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/scribbled-pipefish-43090654462243.webp?v=1790305589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/scribbled-pipefish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}