I'm puzzled???? Fish are missing...

[RtReef]

So as of the last week or so something strange is happening. I have lost one of my orange spot goby's (was pretty active) also lost a kole tang only in the for 2 days and a six line only in there for 2 days?

Current living fish are: Orange clown, black clown, 2 PJ Cardinals, one orange spot goby, 5 chromis, Lawn Mower Blenny, Blue Hippo Tang.

I tested all my water and recently have done a water change. My water checks out good (I'm not going to list parameters they are all in the norm) Only high reading was nitrates up at 10-20

What would cause 3 fish to go missing? I found the Kole the next day but have not located 6 line wrasse or goby. Could there be a predator in my tank or could one of my fish (hippo in particular) have killed any of the others?
I also have bubbly coral which throws out nasty long tentacles, but I don't think it can kill a fish??

 

[Bretts05jeep]

My hippo tang has killed two potters wrasse, a blue spot jaw fish and a tomini tang. The hippo tang would be my guess.

If you have alot of rock ( which I do ) you may never find the dead fish.

 

[nanoreefer1000]

A pistol shrimp, mantis shrimp, or large starfish could be hiding in your rock. That's my guess.

 

[SushiGirl]

Tank size?

 

[snorvich]

Tank size?

65 gallon

 

[SushiGirl]

Yikes. 14 fish in a 65 gallon is a lot, and too small for the hippo. Stress from not enough room makes aggressive fish more aggressive.

 

[dzfish17]

I dont know whats killing your fish but you are way overstocking a 65g tank. For starters, the hippo needs a bigger tank http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007 . You should only have about 6-9 small fish in a tank that size. Do you run a skimmer on the tank?

 

[nanoreefer1000]

Yikes. 14 fish in a 65 gallon is a lot, and too small for the hippo. Stress from not enough room makes aggressive fish more aggressive.

Yikes indeed, this tank is way overstocked!:worried:

 

[snorvich]

If the fish are dieing, I would be concerned about ammonia.

 

[jcmjoe]

I hope this doesnt sound far fetched but do you think it could be the fish are being eaten by bristle worms? They are great garbage disposels and alot of people dont realise they are in the tank. They will come in on your live rock and you very seldom see them during the day.Im sure they arent killing them but I have shined a flashlight in my tanks at night before and found dead snails covered in bristles. Just a guess

 

[Bretts05jeep]

If a fish dies in the rock it will be eaten by crabs and worms but it will still put off amonia.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Like snorvich said, test for ammonia. a dead tang can produce a lot of it at 75 degrees and missing a while. I agree with all the overstocking posts. That isn't even a close call. Fish dying that soon often indicate a problem with your acclimation process. The fish is bagged in water much different than yours. how are you doing this? Also, I'd sure get a QT/HT. You really need it for new fish and I have a feeling you're going to need it for your present fish as well. I hope not.

 

[MrTuskfish]

My hippo tang has killed two potters wrasse, a blue spot jaw fish and a tomini tang. The hippo tang would be my guess.

If you have alot of rock ( which I do ) you may never find the dead fish.

Unusual, Regals (or Hippos, showing my age) are about the mildest tang there is.

 

[snorvich]

Unusual, Regals (or Hippos, showing my age) are about the mildest tang there is.

Well, not always. If a fish perceives that its ecological niche is over populated (that is, they feel cramped), it will try and reduce the inhabitants in that niche. That is the underlying reason that tank size is relevant for certain fish. Hepatus tangs can be very aggressive as they get larger in a smallish tank. As far as being "old", I am older than dirt, so I have an excuse for brain cramps. :debi:

 

[aandfsoccr04]

wow that tank is way overstocked. You have three times the number of fish I have in my 120 gallon :uhoh3:

 

[Bretts05jeep]

Unusual, Regals (or Hippos, showing my age) are about the mildest tang there is.

There is a purple tang, and a chevron tang in there with him and I never see any signs of aggression between them. To be fair the tomini tang was picked on by all of the tangs, not just the hippo.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Well, not always. If a fish perceives that its ecological niche is over populated (that is, they feel cramped), it will try and reduce the inhabitants in that niche. That is the underlying reason that tank size is relevant for certain fish. Hepatus tangs can be very aggressive as they get larger in a smallish tank. As far as being "old", I am older than dirt, so I have an excuse for brain cramps. :debi:

Very true; space is usually a big part of aggression by most tangs.

 

[RtReef]

The tank is not overstocked, I do my research and friend is owner of a fish store. All my inhabitants are in the juvenile stage which makes the fairly small and as for the ones which require more size I plan to move into a larger tank in about 5-6 months. I drip acclimate all my fish and i test temperature/SG. I really don't appreciate how people jump to conclusion or scold members for their setup/advice. I do plenty of research and do exceptional tank maintenance, which is what more than most people can honestly say.

He was one of the longest living fish I had in there and has been with more fish. I have a skimmer rated for a 125g and about 130lb of LR. This is my choice and my set up!

I was asking for people's advice in regards to possible predators or levels to check in particular. It could have possibly been caused from switching from T5 to LED lighting.

I appreciate the members that took a moment to answer with common sense and thought put into your reply unlike the others who scolded on stock or other downfalls in their view.

 

[SushiGirl]

Sorry, but changing lights is not going to kill fish. People gave you the most likely answer, sorry you don't like it.

 

[dzfish17]

The tank is not overstocked, I do my research and friend is owner of a fish store. All my inhabitants are in the juvenile stage which makes the fairly small and as for the ones which require more size I plan to move into a larger tank in about 5-6 months. I drip acclimate all my fish and i test temperature/SG. I really don't appreciate how people jump to conclusion or scold members for their setup/advice. I do plenty of research and do exceptional tank maintenance, which is what more than most people can honestly say.

He was one of the longest living fish I had in there and has been with more fish. I have a skimmer rated for a 125g and about 130lb of LR. This is my choice and my set up!

I was asking for people's advice in regards to possible predators or levels to check in particular. It could have possibly been caused from switching from T5 to LED lighting.

I appreciate the members that took a moment to answer with common sense and thought put into your reply unlike the others who scolded on stock or other downfalls in their view.

Your tank is overstocked and we are just trying to help you see that it may have been the problem. You have some folks trying to help you with decades of experience so no need for the attitude.