{"product_id":"red-face-pipefish-microphis-leiaspis","title":"Red Face Pipefish - Microphis leiaspis","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"485\" data-end=\"527\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"485\" data-end=\"527\"\u003eRed Face Pipefish (Microphis leiaspis)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"529\" data-end=\"1009\"\u003eThe Red Face Pipefish is a delicate and unusual freshwater to lightly brackish pipefish admired for its long slender body, seahorse-like head shape and calm hovering behaviour. Also known as the Barhead Pipefish or Freshwater Pipefish, this species is best suited to mature, peaceful aquariums with gentle flow, stable water quality and very calm tankmates. It is a specialist micro-predator and should only be kept by aquarists able to provide regular small live or frozen foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1105\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1027\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1030\"\u003eRed Face Pipefish, Barhead Pipefish, Freshwater Pipefish, Bar Head Pipefish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1156\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1135\"\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1135\" data-end=\"1138\"\u003eMicrophis leiaspis\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1200\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1175\"\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1175\" data-end=\"1178\"\u003eApproximately 15–19 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1249\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1217\"\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1217\" data-end=\"1220\"\u003eFreshwater \/ Lightly Brackish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1402\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1280\"\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1280\" data-end=\"1283\"\u003eThe Red Face Pipefish is an Indo-Pacific pipefish associated with freshwater, brackish and coastal-influenced habitats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1404\" data-end=\"1592\"\u003eIn the wild, it is found in calm lower river systems, creeks, estuarine margins and slow-moving waters where it can hold position among plants, roots, leaf litter, wood and marginal cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1594\" data-end=\"1826\"\u003eThis species is amphidromous, meaning its life history can involve movement between fresh and brackish or coastal-influenced waters. Aquarium care should therefore be matched closely to the supplier’s kept conditions where possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1828\" data-end=\"2091\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1828\" data-end=\"1849\"\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"1852\"\u003eTemperature: 22–27°C\u003cbr data-start=\"1872\" data-end=\"1875\"\u003epH Range: 7.0–8.0\u003cbr data-start=\"1892\" data-end=\"1895\"\u003eHardness: Soft to moderately hard\u003cbr data-start=\"1928\" data-end=\"1931\"\u003eSalinity: Freshwater to lightly brackish, depending on supplier conditions\u003cbr data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2008\"\u003eAmmonia\/Nitrite: 0 ppm\u003cbr data-start=\"2030\" data-end=\"2033\"\u003eNitrate: Kept low and stable\u003cbr data-start=\"2061\" data-end=\"2064\"\u003eFlow: Gentle flow preferred\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2133\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2109\"\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2109\" data-end=\"2112\"\u003ePeaceful but delicate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2135\" data-end=\"2288\"\u003eRed Face Pipefish are completely peaceful and should only be kept with calm, slow-moving tankmates that will not harass them or outcompete them for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2290\" data-end=\"2451\"\u003eThey are easily stressed by boisterous fish, aggressive species or fast feeders. A species-only or carefully planned specialist aquarium is strongly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2491\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2462\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2462\" data-end=\"2465\"\u003eCarnivore \/ Micro-predator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2493\" data-end=\"2613\"\u003eThe Red Face Pipefish feeds on tiny moving prey and has a small tubular mouth designed for picking off small live foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2615\" data-end=\"2777\"\u003eOffer live baby brineshrimp, daphnia, copepods, cyclops, small blackworms, grindal worms and very small frozen foods such as cyclops or fine mysis where accepted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2779\" data-end=\"2960\"\u003eMany individuals feed best on live foods, especially when newly imported. They often need several small feeds per day and should not be expected to compete with fast community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2962\" data-end=\"3029\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2962\" data-end=\"2984\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2984\" data-end=\"2987\"\u003eApproximately 120 litres for a small group\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3031\" data-end=\"3119\"\u003eA longer aquarium with calm areas, plants and cover is preferred over a tall, open tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3121\" data-end=\"3232\"\u003eStable water quality, mature filtration and regular feeding opportunities are more important than volume alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3234\" data-end=\"3405\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3234\" data-end=\"3259\"\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3259\" data-end=\"3262\"\u003eThe Red Face Pipefish is a slow, deliberate fish that spends much of its time hovering, resting among plants or moving carefully through cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3407\" data-end=\"3518\"\u003eIt feeds by waiting for small prey to pass close to the snout, then picking it off with a quick suction motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3520\" data-end=\"3657\"\u003eIt may remain shy at first, but settled individuals can become more visible in a quiet aquarium with gentle flow and no food competition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3659\" data-end=\"3722\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3659\" data-end=\"3685\"\u003eCommunity Suitability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3685\" data-end=\"3688\"\u003eSpecialist Peaceful Community Fish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3724\" data-end=\"3832\"\u003eThe Red Face Pipefish is best kept in a species-only aquarium or with very carefully selected peaceful fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"3834\" data-end=\"4077\"\u003eSuitable tankmates may include very small calm rasboras, tiny peaceful gobies, small non-competitive livebearers in suitable water and peaceful bottom dwellers that do not disturb feeding. Even then, food competition must be watched carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4079\" data-end=\"4256\"\u003eAvoid large fish, aggressive species, fin-nippers, fast-feeding tetras, barbs, danios, gouramis, cichlids, puffers, loaches and any fish that may outcompete, nip or stress them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4258\" data-end=\"4420\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4258\" data-end=\"4297\"\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"4297\" data-end=\"4300\"\u003eThis is a specialist pipefish that requires a mature aquarium, stable water quality and a reliable supply of tiny foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4422\" data-end=\"4548\"\u003eAsk the supplier whether the fish has been kept in freshwater or light brackish water and match conditions during acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4550\" data-end=\"4657\"\u003eGentle flow, fine-leaved plants, floating cover, roots, wood and sheltered areas help the fish feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4659\" data-end=\"4729\"\u003eAvoid strong current, bright bare aquariums and busy community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4731\" data-end=\"4900\"\u003eFeed several small meals where possible and monitor body condition closely. A thin or pinched body is a warning sign that the fish is not receiving enough suitable food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4902\" data-end=\"4943\"\u003eSlow acclimation is strongly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"4945\" data-end=\"5059\"\u003eThis species is best suited to aquarists with experience keeping delicate, specialist or live-food-dependent fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"5061\" data-end=\"5092\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5061\" data-end=\"5078\"\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"5078\" data-end=\"5081\"\u003eExperienced\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"5094\" data-end=\"5226\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5094\" data-end=\"5111\"\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"5111\" data-end=\"5114\"\u003eAvailability can vary depending on season and supplier. This species is usually an occasional specialist import.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5494\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5494\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5229\" data-end=\"5493\"\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":47413306785965,"sku":"AG-104738","price":8.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":47413306818733,"sku":"AG-104739","price":9.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":47413306851501,"sku":"AG-104740","price":12.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/RedFacePipefish-Microphisleiaspis.jpg?v=1790855775","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/red-face-pipefish-microphis-leiaspis","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}