Common name: Booth's pipefish

General information

Booth's Pipefish, scientifically known as Halicampus boothae, is a small and slender fish species belonging to the family Syngnathidae, which also includes seahorses and seadragons. This species is characterized by its elongated body and its ability to camouflage among seagrasses and corals due to its muted coloration, which often includes shades of brown, green, and yellow.

Care

Caring for Booth's Pipefish in a home aquarium requires attention to detail, as they are delicate and have specific feeding requirements. They thrive in a well-established, mature aquarium with plenty of live rock and calm water flow. These pipefish primarily feed on small live foods such as copepods and brine shrimp nauplii, making them suitable for a reef tank with a sustainable microfauna population.

Reproduction

Like other pipefish, Booth's Pipefish are ovoviviparous, with males carrying the fertilized eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch. Breeding them in captivity can be challenging due to their specific mating rituals and the need for pristine water conditions.

Habitat

Booth's Pipefish is native to the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean. They are typically found in shallow coastal waters, often among seagrasses or coral rubble, where they blend in with their surroundings to avoid predators.