Disappearing Fish

Johnseye

Johnseye

Reef Addict
Some strange activity has been going on in my display.

About two months ago I added a goby to my display. He went into hiding and I haven't seen him since. Assumed dead.

About three days ago one of my Melanarus (I have 2) wrasses jumped out of the tank. Luckily I was there and got him immediately back in. I bought a hood and it will be going on once I modify it for my lighting.

Yesterday one McCosker's wrasse who's been in the tank for about 8 months and one of the Melanarus disappeared. No sign of them outside the display, in the overflows or in the sump.

My suspicion at this point on the disappearance of the goby and wrasses is my Emerald crab. Other than it my BTA is the only thing I can think of that could catch and kill or cause a fish to disappear. The wrasses got along great with the other livestock. I have 2 tangs, 2 clowns some hermits and snails, but that's it.
 
Every emerald crab I have ever owned was far too slow to ever catch a fish, especially one over 1". With that said I'm sure it has happened but they would never be able to consume fish before you saw it. The BTA could potentially eat them but it's much less likely to than say a carpet. I suspect the wrasse are hiding in the sand. Did you QT the goby?
 
More likely they are either just hiding and will reappear, or they just died and will be reduced by the CUC.
 
Same Problem, But I know what the answer is for mine

Same Problem, But I know what the answer is for mine

Ive had the same problem except i know what has happened. My Bubble Tip or carpet ate the neon goby and as for the emerald crab idea, yes they are able to catch fish when big enough, but they normally cant due to speed and well SIZE. This being said, like Dmorty217 said, they can catch a fish but you would notice it being eaten. Do you own any star fish, they can clean up on a dead fish quicker then most things that live in your tank. Secondly the bristleworms and reef bugs will finish off whats not eaten. But i would venture to say that it was your anemone that is causing the disappearing act in your tank with the fish. Hope that helps!

:headwally:





Johnseye said:
Some strange activity has been going on in my display.

About two months ago I added a goby to my display. He went into hiding and I haven't seen him since. Assumed dead.

About three days ago one of my Melanarus (I have 2) wrasses jumped out of the tank. Luckily I was there and got him immediately back in. I bought a hood and it will be going on once I modify it for my lighting.

Yesterday one McCosker's wrasse who's been in the tank for about 8 months and one of the Melanarus disappeared. No sign of them outside the display, in the overflows or in the sump.

My suspicion at this point on the disappearance of the goby and wrasses is my Emerald crab. Other than it my BTA is the only thing I can think of that could catch and kill or cause a fish to disappear. The wrasses got along great with the other livestock. I have 2 tangs, 2 clowns some hermits and snails, but that's it.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Dmorty217 said:
Every emerald crab I have ever owned was far too slow to ever catch a fish, especially one over 1". With that said I'm sure it has happened but they would never be able to consume fish before you saw it. The BTA could potentially eat them but it's much less likely to than say a carpet. I suspect the wrasse are hiding in the sand. Did you QT the goby?
Click to expand...

The goby was the only fish I did not QT for multiple reasons. I have QT'd gobies in the past and have had bad luck without sand. That said, my most recent QT setup has included a tupperware container with sand and that's worked great for all fish and the tank itself. Easy to pull the tupperware/sand out if medication is needed.

Are you thinking the goby just didn't survive the tank transfer?

I hope the wrasses are hiding, but the McCoskers has never hidden and they all usually come out for feedings.

All fish have been healthy, eating and no signs of stress or disease.
 
Unless you have a Haddoni, I seriously doubt the anemone ate the fish. All will be revealed, however, if it did because you will get it back .... Somewhat the worse for wear though :(
 
Ok smart a

Ok smart a

So you 100% know this how? Because unless u can explain why i "watched with my own eyes , my carpet anemone eat my neon gobi, do you factually know? Because I know I'm not crazy or was seeing crap. So please EXPLAIN YOUR SELF!!!!

ca1ore said:
Unless you have a Haddoni, I seriously doubt the anemone ate the fish. All will be revealed, however, if it did because you will get it back .... Somewhat the worse for wear though :(
Click to expand...
 
My bad..

My bad..

My bad Ca1ore, I misspoke Before i fully read your post. I agree to the extent of anemones eating fish.

QUOTE=ca1ore;23565682]Unless you have a Haddoni, I seriously doubt the anemone ate the fish. All will be revealed, however, if it did because you will get it back .... Somewhat the worse for wear though :([/QUOTE]
 
BuckeyeFrags26 said:
So you 100% know this how? Because unless u can explain why i "watched with my own eyes , my carpet anemone eat my neon gobi, do you factually know? Because I know I'm not crazy or was seeing crap. So please EXPLAIN YOUR SELF!!!!
Click to expand...

Hah, yes, helps to actually read a post before reacting like an a ...... :)

I've kept just about all of the host anemones, and the only ones I ever had issues with fish getting eaten was with a haddoni (one of the 'carpet' anemones). The ONLY other, verified, time was a magnifica that ate a distressed fish that swam right into it. But, like I said, the anemone will subsequently excrete the fish remains, so if one is vigilant the mystery will resolve itself.
 
BuckeyeFrags26 said:
My bad Ca1ore, I misspoke Before i fully read your post. I agree to the extent of anemones eating fish.

QUOTE=ca1ore;23565682]Unless you have a Haddoni, I seriously doubt the anemone ate the fish. All will be revealed, however, if it did because you will get it back .... Somewhat the worse for wear though :(
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

It's all good ..... And I'm not even saying another kind of anemone couldn't eat a fish; just that IME it is unlikely.
 
The McCoskers was in the overflow. He must have jumped in there. We found him in there late last night when I turned the pumps off to feed. I left him in overnight planning to disconnect my pipes and drain him out today. When my wife was standing near the tank earlier today he jumped out of the overflow and on to the floor. She put him back in the tank.

The other Melanarus must have been hiding in the sand because he's back.

Not sure why my wrasses have decided to start jumping all of a sudden. Going to get the canopy on tomorrow.
 
I had a fish go missing in a 5 gallon nano tank once. Took the rocks apart and found a giant 9 inch poly worm.
 
ca1ore said:
Unless you have a Haddoni, I seriously doubt the anemone ate the fish. All will be revealed, however, if it did because you will get it back .... Somewhat the worse for wear though :(
Click to expand...

I watched my RBTA catch my royal gramma. I could not save him.. so for this I disagree with you
 
Johnseye-- a possibility is that the behavior of the fish is changing. Two tangs in a 120 could generate serious action.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

V
Feedback on this stocking list for 30g
Replies
0
Views
294
Varanis
V
N
75 gallon set up and stocking advice
Replies
8
Views
2K
Newham94
N
T
New 55g setup. Advice for fish appreciated
Replies
6
Views
280
Uncle99
Uncle99
M
help with new dracula goby
Replies
5
Views
395
leebca
L
BigEZ77
Urgent Help Requested - Wrasses Won't Come Out - CB Blue Tang Arriving Today (NO QT)
Replies
8
Views
618
rrrrob
rrrrob
Back
Top