Firefish... RIP

[grafspee1217]

Hi everyone, I purchased a purple firefish yesterday to replace a previous firefish who jumped out of my tank a while back. I had a screened top that I got from BRS in that kit they sell. The first one I assume jumped out from a 1" opening that the screen did not cover. This opening is where the wires for the power heads went into the tank. After I found the first one laying on top of the screen, I made a 1/4 piece of acrylic with notches for the wires to cover that slot. This morning I found the new fish laying on top of the screen again. The screen is the 1/4" mesh. Is it getting through that? I could understand him getting through the 1/2" mesh but didnt think the 1/4" would be a problem. Any ideas? Should I just pass on that species of fish?

 

[albano]

certain fish...gobies, dartfish, firefish, etc...will go right thru screening

 

[38bill]

Some of the 1/4" screen I have is actually closer to 5/16" and a little big for smaller thin fish. The BRS clear 1/4" screen is actually 1/4" or less and does a better job.

Note that a fish jumping at speed can go through a mesh that would appear to be way too small. I have had a few large wrasse go right through a screen that should have stopped them. One fish actually went up through one hole and down through the adjacent hole leaving him stuck there "U" shaped. How in the world he was able to that I'll never know but luckily I heard it happen and I was able to cut him out of the screen.

 

[grafspee1217]

The screen I have is actually the BRS clear 1/4" mesh. He's dried out now but I tried poking him through the screen, kinda hard to get him through it since he's stiff. Might see a live one slipping through I guess. So write off a firefish?

 

[snorvich]

certain fish...gobies, dartfish, firefish, etc...will go right thru screening

I agree. Some are prolific jumpers and while 1/4 inch holes are recommended, they are not fool proof if there are any openings any where.

 

[rssjsb]

I found my hulky pyle's wrasse on top of my screen. I can only conclude that he bumped it hard enough to move it then flopped around until he landed on top. Gruesome, but a reminder that in addition to screen size, frame weight matters.

 

[SDguy]

I found my hulky pyle's wrasse on top of my screen. I can only conclude that he bumped it hard enough to move it then flopped around until he landed on top. Gruesome, but a reminder that in addition to screen size, frame weight matters.

Yup, I found my LARGE heniochus on top of my screen