Well, I bought a pipefish last week at the DNA spring sale. He found a side of the tank and settled in comfortably. I've heard that they are somewhat delicate and I've been happy that he's made it a week and no other fish have been threatening to him. He lives with a bossy gold striped clown, a peaceful blue tang, a new sailfin tang, a generally nice long nosed hawkfish, a bi-color blenny, and a blue chromis. The last few days I've noticed a few new empty shells in the tank - hermits and snails. Of course, I don't blame the Pipefish for this development. OMG, this morning I awoke to the pipefish being dragged into the rocks by one of my newest members of the tank - a strawberry crab! Reef safe or bandit in disguise??? By the time I got my hand in the water, the pipefish was already fully pulled into the rocks and the crab must have been licking his chops for his yummy breakfast. All of a sudden, I see the tail pop out from another side of the rocks and I grabbed the little pipefish and got him out of the claws of his preditor and out of the tank. He's now resting in a bowl of tank water and with a piece of live rock to make him feel like he's in the ocean. I'll be surprised if he makes it, but he seemes in tact. Now I need to decide if the crab is to be evicted, the pipefish sold or traded, or both? Anyone have advice or similar stories to share?
