Need Mate for 2" blue striped pipefish

[Tripspike]

I currently have one of these fascinating creatures. I would like to find a mate for it but have some questions.

How do I tell what sex the one I have is? or can they change sexes like many marine fish....if so, this question is mute.

Is it possible to keep four of these in an 18 gallon tank? or would a mated pair be better?

Trip

[Bidadari]

Male blue stripe pipe will fight to death if there's another male blue stripe in the same tank, and they don't change sexes like clownfish does. Check out Seahorse.org, they have more info on the pipefish.

[Tripspike]

Thank you!

[acrodave]

if u can get a real close look at the nose u can tell male from female the males have little flaps of skin on the nose and the females have a smooth nose

[rssjsb]

Also, females have a more rounded shape, whereas males tend to have flatter bellies.