Adding 2 fish 3 months after the first went MIA

[Yellow Eyes]

Long Story:
My tank was setup/cycled in August/September. I added my first fish (firefish) end of September. I didn't QT, added him directly to the tank, and he was fine for about a month until he started scratching into the sand bed sparingly, but one day that was the last I saw of him and haven't seen him since late October.

I am having to leave the tank in the care of my roommate for December and January while I am away, (I set up a QT tank to cycle before I left). I want my next fishes to be 2 clownfish, after a 4-6 week QT, however I won't purchase the clowns until end of January, so realistically they won't be added till March. Will I be safe to add 2 fish into the tank at that point without a mini cycle? I also have a clean up crew of 5 Nerite snails, cleaner shrimp, with my auto feeder feeding the tank a few pellets once a day (which get eaten by the shrimp).

Short Story:
-Added one fish into cycled tank, was seen for about 1 month, not seen since
-Want to add 2 clownfish to the tank after a QT month
-Won't get them in until March, which is 3-4 months after the first fish disappeared

Will I be safe to add 2 fish into the tank at that point without a mini cycle?

My gut instinct is telling me that I should just add one fish, to be safe rather than sorry. Thanks for any opinions.

 

[reepher315]

New fish wont restart a cycle. I have introduced 2 fish at the same time no issues. I think thats just a precaution if you have bullys in the tank which it sounds like you dont. Also do you think your fish may have jumped out?

 

[Yellow Eyes]

I am hoping my bacteria population hasn't decreased. And it is possible that he jumped, but I have the BRS 1/4" net over the tank, its sealed pretty good, and I have looked on the floor for him but have yet to find (or smell) him.

And there are no other fish in the tank at all, just CUC and LPS.

 

[wcarterh]

Have you been feeding the tank (esp with CUC)? If so, your bacteria should be fine.

What do you mean by, "he started scratching into the sand bed sparingly"? Also, what kind of fish? As in searching for food, making a burrow, or itching?

 

[gone fishin]

It is hard to say what happened to the fire fish to make it go missing. It is very likely your CUC took care of the body if it was in the tank.

If the scratching was ich or some other illness then the tank being fallow until March should eradicate any ich or other illness from the tank.

Since you still have a CUC and the shrimp and you are feeding a little bit everyday do not worry about bacteria. The tank will be fine.

You can add the two clowns as planned. I personally would look for two the same size or one that is bigger. I would also look into the tank transfer method when you get your clowns. IMO this is the easiest way to treat for ich, then drop them into the QT for observation. Good Luck.

 

[Yellow Eyes]

Thanks everyone, I wasn't sure if just a little bit of feeding and having the CUC would keep the bacteria alive.

Also about the firefish, he would dive and rub one side of his body into the sand, I never saw him rub against rocks. Initially when I was in the room (for several hours on all occasions) he would rub every 20-30 minutes, but that turned into only one instance a few days later, but then he went into his rock cave he liked to hide and never came out.

I tested for ammonia for about 4 days afterwards (as well as an ammonia alert badge) and there was never a spike (always 0).

 

[tmz]

I would consider that the tank may have crytocaryon irrtans and treat accordingly.