Missing Clown fish

[mastewar20]

I woke up this morning only to see that one of my clown fish is missing. I have had two clown fish for about 1 year. I have a bubble tip anemone in the tank that they love. Is it possible the anemone ate it. I also just introduced a lion fish in the tank. The person ate the fish store told me that the lion fish would not eat any other fish in my tank because he was too small. Is it possible the lion fish ate it? any suggestions?

 

[Smokey Stover]

If it can fit in the Lion Fishes mouth it will eat it. Or the other clown killed it and clean up crew got it.

 

[Rover88]

If you have had two clown fish for a year, and it was fine.... It is almost guaranteed they didn't suddenly decide to fight. If they have had that anemone for a very long time.... its improbable the anemone suddenly turned on them.

If you JUST introduced a new fish that is notorious for eating anything that fits in its mouth... well.... Sadly, your lionfish probably killed and ate it. How big was the size disparity between them? As Smokey said, if it can eat them, it will eat them.


EDIT: Its possible the Lionfish spooked it, too. Check your overflow/weird areas of the tank to see if its hiding?

 

[mastewar20]

The clown fish is about half the size of the lion fish. If that is so I will visiting that fish store today. Maybe I can cut the lion fish open and see. Just kidding

 

[Rover88]

The clown fish is about half the size of the lion fish. If that is so I will visiting that fish store today. Maybe I can cut the lion fish open and see. Just kidding

Given as a Lionfishs mouth is half or more its size... yeah... it probably ate the Clown.

 

[Hydrus]

I agree with the above...its surprising what they can fit in their mouths. I have a rose bubble tip and when he eats a large meal/krill I can usually tell for a few hours that he's eaten. But from what you've described, the odds are it's most likely the lion.

 

[mastewar20]

I took all the rocks out and looked every where, the clown is no where to be found. I have removed the lion fish and placed him in the sump for now until I can figure out what I am going to do with him

 

[Hydrus]

I took all the rocks out and looked every where, the clown is no where to be found. I have removed the lion fish and placed him in the sump for now until I can figure out what I am going to do with him

I'm sorry you are having to do that I know how much it sucks to be so excited to get a new fish and are told it should work...but then it doesn't. They are such beautiful fish.

 

[Roger30]

Look behind the tank, if not there, the lion fish ate him.

 

[Uncle99]

My LFS told me that the fire fish in the bag was just faking death....
You gotta love these guys and gals, grade 11 or 12, same ones that do your oil change.
Not nem, there's a reason it's called a lion fish....

 

[Tripod1404]

When you think about "if it can eat" always remember the video below. Most fish dont chew or shred their prey. Even the ones that do, chew what they eat in their throats. So if the mouth is large enough for the prey to go trough (not necessarily if the mouth is large enough for the whole fish to fit in lengthwise), there is a possibility for it to be eaten.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r57CfYcR98

 

[Bruce51]

WOW!! that fish was REALY hungry