New Blue Spotted Jaw fish Missing????

[Sinistard]

I got a Blue Spotted Jaw fish 3 days ago and it has gone missing. For the first 2 days I would see it from time to time digging a burrow in different spots but for the last day I have not seen him or noticed any new sand movement.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with this type of fish and is it normal to not see a sign of them for a few days after adding them to a tank. I tried to move some rocks around to find him but it's next to impossible to do with out causing more problems then helping.

I guess its a waiting game now but I was hoping for some news that this was at least somewhat normal. I kind of fear for the worst because I figured I would have at least seen sand movement if not the fish. I guess I don't expect much good news from this thread but I had to ask to maybe give myself a little more hope.

Wish for the best.

Thanks for any help.

 

[SDguy]

Check around the tank....NOTORIOUS carpet surfers. Wishing you the best though

 

[Sinistard]

I did check behind the stand last night but after someone on another forum said the some thing I went back and checked again.

Bad new I found the fish laying inside my stand. I don't know how it could have made it in there but there it was. I guess it jumped and fell along a run of PVC and ended up in the stand. It was pretty dried up so it must have happened at least a day or so ago.

I don't have a lid on my tank, I hoped that the bracing on the top would have prevented any jumpers. There is a 3" lip around the whole top of the tank and a brace in the middle, probably 50% of the top is "covered". I guess it was one unlucky fish

And yes he was expensive, an expensive lesson for me but mostly I feel bad for causing the fishes death.

I'll have to figure out some way to put a lid on my tank before I add any other fish that might jump. Lesson learned to bad a fish had to die for me to learn it.

I am in the process of making an egg crate lid for the tank now.

 

[LargeAngels]

They will jump out of just about any crack in the top. Also if you have an overflow they will jump into that also.

 

[COreefer]

Good luck..sometimes they diapear then reapear. Doubtful he jumped though if he had a burrow, well maybe not if you put him in a 16g??

 

[Tridacna_Reef01]

As said, check around the tank. However, new jawfish are often VERY shy, and you may not see him for weeks, maybe months. But, don't worry, one of these days, he'll come out healthy. He'll find food to eat, and if he gets hungry enough, he'll come out.

 

[COreefer]

The big question I have is this...is he in a 16g???? Because if you haven't seen him in that size tank, that is not good. The next question is this...can you see the glass under your tank?? If so check there to see if he is hiding out or pinned by a rock or something.

 

[Toddrtrex]

For those who missed it ---

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552619#post7552619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sinistard

Bad new I found the fish laying inside my stand. I don't know how it could have made it in there but there it was. I guess it jumped and fell along a run of PVC and ended up in the stand. It was pretty dried up so it must have happened at least a day or so ago.

 

[snorvich]

The bracing on the top will have no effect on jumpers. For those who think that works, think again. Lots of fish are notorious for jumping including firefish, jawfish, and especially wrasses. Most can easily negotiate eggcrate as well.

 

[Sinistard]

Thanks everyone but like Toddrtrex pointed out unfortunately I found him dead yesterday under the tank.

He was not in a 16g tank, it was a 70g tank. The 16 is my experience in this hobby in months

I did make some eggcrate tops for the tank.

I would think this would have no problems stopping a fish the size of my Jaw fish, I don't think he could even fit though one of the holes. I could see a smaller fish making it though.

Thanks again for the encouraging words and the advice.

 

[Angel*Fish]

That's a nice cover

Still bluespots may eventually find a way thru if they are physically able to fit thru - They won't just try to jump and then hit something and "give up " they may make several attempts at once

As far as blue spots go, the person who wrote that they shouldn't jump if established is incorrect - In general, they will eventually jump & must have a covered tank - it's not a matter of "if" - it's "when"

 

[cardgenius]

Sorry to hear. I had this same thing happen to me. Sucks to loose such a cool and expensive fish so quick!

If you decide to get another one, buy some nylon netting or screen and wrap it over the eggcrate. I did this and have had my new jawfish for 3 months!! Just make sure that every hole is covered!!!

 

[snorvich]

While nice, the egg crate covers will not work with jawfish, some fairy wrasses, and most flasher wrasses. It looks cool though.