Yellow Multibanded Pipefish

Also known as the Many-Banded Pipefish or Banded Pipefish

The Yellow Multibanded Pipefish is a striking and delicate species that brings bold banding and elegant movement to marine aquariums. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to Hawaii and French Polynesia, this slender pipefish features distinctive yellow and dark brown bands encircling its entire body. With their specialized feeding requirements and peaceful temperament, Yellow Multibanded Pipefish are challenging but rewarding additions for advanced aquarists with established, peaceful systems and dedication to meeting their unique care needs.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Doryrhamphus multiannulatus
• Common Names: Yellow Multibanded Pipefish, Many-Banded Pipefish, Banded Pipefish
• Adult Size: 6–7 inches (15–18 cm); commonly 5–6 inches in aquariums
• Lifespan: 3–5 years with proper care (challenging to maintain long-term)
• Temperament: Very peaceful and shy; delicate species
• Reef Compatibility: Completely reef-safe – ideal for peaceful reef aquariums
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum (55+ gallons recommended)
• Experience Level: Advanced to Expert – requires specialized feeding and environment

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat: Found on coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and among branching corals at depths of 3–150 feet. Often observed in pairs hovering near caves and overhangs.

Tank Environment:

• Abundant rockwork with caves and crevices
• Branching coral structures for shelter (live or artificial)
• Peaceful environment absolutely essential
• Subdued to moderate lighting
• Low to moderate water flow (too strong causes stress)
• Mature reef system (6+ months established) strongly recommended
• Fine mesh over overflow openings

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 specific gravity
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <10 ppm (excellent water quality essential)
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Diet & Feeding

Recommended Foods (Major Challenge):

• Live copepods, amphipods, microfauna (most readily accepted)
• Frozen mysis shrimp, baby brine shrimp (if trained to accept)
• Enriched live brine shrimp
• Frozen copepods, cyclops
• Difficult to wean onto frozen foods
• Regular live food supplementation highly beneficial

Feeding Schedule:

• Feed 2–4 times daily (small stomach requires frequent meals)
• Continuous access to live microfauna beneficial
• Target feed with pipette or turkey baster
• Slow eaters; ensure adequate feeding time without competition
• Copepod cultures or refugium recommended

Behavior & Compatibility

Tank Mates:

• Compatible with: Small peaceful gobies, blennies, dartfish, firefish, cardinalfish, clownfish (peaceful), small wrasses (peaceful), other pipefish or seahorses
• Caution with: Any aggressive or fast-moving feeders
• Avoid: ALL aggressive species, large fish, fast competitive feeders, triggers, puffers, wrasses (aggressive), dottybacks

Social Behavior:

• Extremely peaceful and timid
• Can be kept in male/female pairs
• Often forms monogamous pair bonds
• Hovers near caves and coral branches
• Very slow, deliberate swimming
• Males brood eggs in specialized pouch (like seahorses)
• Will not compete for food with aggressive eaters
• Easily stressed by boisterous tankmates

Reef Compatibility: Completely reef-safe with all corals, anemones, and sessile invertebrates. Safe with all ornamental shrimp and invertebrates. Will not harm any fish or invertebrates; only consumes microfauna and small meaty foods.

Color & Development

Coloration: Bright yellow to golden-yellow body with numerous dark brown to black bands encircling entire body from snout to tail; typically 20–30+ bands; high-contrast banding pattern; tubular snout; bands create striking zebra-like appearance; absolutely eye-catching coloration.

Color Intensity:

• High-quality diet maintains vibrant yellow base
• Rapid color fading indicates stress or starvation (critical warning sign)
• Bands remain distinct in healthy specimens
• Stress causes immediate dulling of yellow coloration
• Excellent water quality essential for optimal appearance
• One of the most boldly patterned pipefish species

Size & Growth:

• Specimens typically available at 3–5 inches
• Slow growth rate
• Often near adult size when collected
• Remains slender throughout life

Why Choose a Quarantined Yellow Multibanded Pipefish?

A properly quarantined Yellow Multibanded Pipefish is a specimen that has been observed and assessed for critical feeding behavior. Our quarantine protocol includes 4–6 weeks minimum observation (critical for feeding assessment), preventative parasite treatment, feeding establishment verification (most important factor), dietary conditioning to frozen foods when possible, and stress reduction protocols.