powerhead caused death

[AR16]

When I woke up this morning I found one of my oscelariss clownfish stuck in the intake valve of my power head. it has a standard half inch diamater. I assumed this happened sometime in the night when the fish was asleep? I also had two snails who were sucked up a few months ago. I was able to save the snails, but I lost my clownfish The powerhead I have is an Aquaclear multifunction powerhead, but has this happened to anyone before? It would seem like a freak thing, but it happened three times.

 

[lvpd186]

Did you remove the cover to the pump intake? I have had a snail get stuck like that (easier for them to do since they are in direct contact with the surface of the pump), but never a fish. Is it possible that the fish died and then got drawn in to the pump? If you don't have a screen or something to cover the intake of the pump you need to either buy one or make one. If anything it might save anything else from getting killed.

 

[AR16]

My pump did not have a cover when I bought it, but I am now going to get a water bottle with slits in it for temporary safety. My LFS said this would be better than a screen cause it would be more space and less suction at each hole.
The fish was drawn up tail first, so I am not sure how that could of happened.