Freshwater Pipefish (Doryichthys martensii) 10cm

Description

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.

Freshwater Pipefish (Doryichthys martensii) 10cm

Product form

Out of stock,  

$59.00


All prices include GST
Is Online Fish Ordering Right for You?
    • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
    • Live Guaranteed to your Home or Office
    • Price Match Available

    Description

    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.

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Why do livestock prices sometimes change?

    Unlike manufactured products, fish and shrimp continue to grow and develop over time. Their value changes as they increase in size, develop colour, or become breeding pairs.

    Our prices are based on the current size, quality and availability of each specimen. While pricing often remains stable for around 3–4 months, it may be updated at any time to reflect these changes.

    We always aim to offer healthy, high-quality livestock at fair and competitive prices.

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

    Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Nano Tanks Australia, Powered by Shopify

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Google Pay
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account