Disappearing Dartfish

[patsheridan]

So I bought a 2-3" Dartfish three months ago. Took him about two or three days to get comfortable, and since then he as shown himself regularly on a daily basis for feeding, and cruising. I've got a 70g mixed reef, with a couple clowns, a Spotted Bristletooth Tang, couple wrasses, Lawnmower Blenny, couple cleaner shrimp, and a paired Watchman Goby/Pistol Shrimp.

I really like what this Dartfish added to the tank personality-wise, so about 6 weeks ago I added two more slightly larger Dartfish, putting them into the tank late in the evening - never saw them again, not once.

About two weeks ago I bought one more, hoping it would take to the tank - again, never saw him once added.

My question is: are one or more of these guys possibly still alive and well? I have looked around the outside of the tank to see if they have jumped (I have egg-crate on the top of the tank) and have not seen any carcasses. The one original Dartifsh is doing great, as usual. But no sign of the three added since.

Love to get any thought on this. Thanks!

 

[Tripod1404]

They form harems in wild but in aquarium your established pair might be bulling the new two. Especially if they are males. I never had success with keeping with more than one dartfish. They always seemed to get along for the first couple of months then out of nothing most dominant fish starts to bully the rest and eventually only the most dominant fish remains.