Martens' Pipefish (Doryichthys martensii)

Martens' Pipefish Doryichthys martensii
Name	Martens' Pipefish
Name Lat.	Doryichthys martensii
Family	Pipefishes & Seahorses
Family lat.	Syngnathidae
Order	Pipefishes & Seahorses
Order lat.	Syngnathiformes
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Rivers
Diet	Carnivore
pH	6.5-8.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	♂ brood pouch
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	4-6 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	10-15 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	10-20 °dH
Aquarium	100 cm / 200 l
US Units
Size	3.9"-5.9"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	178-356 ppm
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Martens Freshwater Needles extends from Indonesia, Malaysia and Borneo to Thailand, where they occur e.g. in the Chao Phraya river system and the Rajang basin. They live in slow flowing river sections where they prefer to stay in the shore area between roots and in dense underwater vegetation.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a background and edge planting of long and fine-feathered plants (Ambullia, Vallisneria etc.) and some roots (hiding places) as well as provide sufficient swimming space. A fine-grained substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and medium to hard water is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

In the wild they feed mainly on insect larvae. The food supply consists of small live food, such as daphnia, mysis, artemia and black mosquito larvae, which is sometimes accepted in frozen form after habituation. Dry food (granules, pellets, flakes) is not accepted. They are very slow eaters and should be fed small portions several times a day. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

It is recommended to keep them in a species tank. They are very peaceful fish that should be kept singly or in pairs. At spawning time, males are somewhat territorial, so keeping multiple pairs is recommended only in a larger and richly structured tank. Socialization with calm, peaceful fish that are not food competitors is possible

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The slightly larger males have a conspicuous furrow (breeding organ) on the abdomen, which becomes a gross pocket (skin sac) during the spawning season.

Reproduction and breeding

After courtship, the female transfers the eggs into the male's brood organ. The eggs are glued and held with a special tissue (skin sac). After 10-14 days the small larvae hatch, they are released from the skin sac and the brood care ends.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (infusoria, Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.

Important

These slow feeders can only take very small food, which they suck with their thin mouth tube (suction feeding). It is recommended to switch off the filter during feeding

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF