Red Belly Pipefish Doryichthys Martensii 8cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Red Belly Pipefish is a slender, stick-like relative of the seahorse with a long tubular snout and a reddish belly that flushes brighter in breeding males. It is a genuine freshwater pipefish from the streams of Southeast Asia, drifting among plant stems in search of tiny prey. A delicate specialist for experienced keepers.
- Adult Size: Around 15 cm (6 in)
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
Origin
- Native to: Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia
- Habitat: Flowing freshwater streams with riparian vegetation
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous, live foods only
- Preferred Foods: Brine shrimp nauplii, cyclops, daphnia, mosquito larvae, grindal worms
- Feeding Habits: Feed small amounts several times daily; rarely accepts frozen
Tank Mates
- Best with: Its own kind, small snails, cherry shrimp; species tank ideal
- Avoid: Any fast or greedy fish that outcompete it at feeding
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Entirely peaceful and slow
- Territoriality: None
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Challenges: Needs constant live food and gentle flow
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, moderately hard and neutral to alkaline
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 7.0–8.0
- Hardness: 5–19 dGH
- Flow: Slow
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a small group; mature, planted and stable
Final Notes
Success depends entirely on a steady supply of live foods, so set up a brine shrimp hatchery or daphnia culture before buying. Keep them in a mature, heavily planted tank with gentle filtration and no competitors, and they will pick contentedly at food all day. Males carry the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail and release fully formed young. Adults live in pure fresh water despite older claims of brackish needs. A fascinating project fish.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.