HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishPipe fish Pipe fish (Indostomus paradoxus) Scientific name: Indostomus paradoxus Prashad & Mukerji, 1929 The Pipe fish (Indostomus paradoxus) is a freshwater fish of the family Indostomidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Asia, northern Myanmar to Cambodia. Pipe fish care at a glanceTemperature24–28°C (75–82°F) BiologyOccur along the bottom in stagnant waters of canals, ditches and swamps. A sedentary, slowly moving species that spends most of its time resting on the bottom. Feeds on worms and other slowly moving benthic invertebrates. Relatively inedible, because of its small size and strong body armor. Not seen in markets.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameIndostomus paradoxusFamilyIndostomidae (Armored sticklebacks)OrderGasterosteiformes (Sticklebacks and Seamoths)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length3.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - ?; dH range: 6 - ? benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionAsia: northern Myanmar to Cambodia.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial More other freshwater fishLined soleAchirus lineatusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisFreshwater garfishXenentodon cancilaSouth American lungfishLepidosiren paradoxaSee all other freshwater fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026