Yellow-banded Pipefish

The Yellow-banded Pipefish is a beautifully marked member of the Dunckerocampus genus, featuring bold alternating bands of deep red and bright yellow encircling its elongated, rigid body. The vivid color contrast between the red and yellow bands creates a visually striking pattern that makes this species one of the most attractive pipefish available in the aquarium trade. A bright red flag-like caudal fin completes the colorful ensemble. At approximately 6 inches in length, it provides excellent visual presence in a dedicated syngnathid aquarium.

In the wild, Dunckerocampus pessuliferus inhabits caves, overhangs, and protected reef crevices throughout the Western Pacific. Like other members of its genus, it is typically found in pairs that maintain a shared territory within protected reef structure. The species is somewhat secretive, spending much of its time in the shadows of caves and ledges, emerging to feed on tiny crustaceans that drift past in the current. Its bold banding pattern, which seems conspicuous in the open, actually serves as effective disruptive camouflage in the dappled light of cave interiors.

The Yellow-banded Pipefish is among the hardier aquarium pipefish, as Dunckerocampus species have a reputation for adapting better to captive conditions than many other genera. While it still requires the specialized feeding regimen essential for all syngnathids, it tends to accept frozen mysis shrimp and enriched brine shrimp with less difficulty than more delicate species. A mature reef aquarium with a productive refugium provides the ideal environment, and keeping a bonded pair showcases the species' most engaging social behaviors. As with all pipefish, only the gentlest, most non-competitive tankmates are appropriate.