SCREENS SCREENS SCREENS! (dead borbonius)

[hobbzz]

Just a friendly reminder for those who are new to the hobby...all fish are jumpers. This is a borbonius anthias. Typically about $200-$300. I came home today to find him dried up on the floor. This is the tank he was in, 1/2" eggcrate covered in 1/4" netting. To make it out of the hole in the feeder, it not only had to squeeze through that small gap but also make a 90 degree turn at the top of the jump. I would have thought that was physically impossible. And after 18 years in the hobby, I've never heard of a fish jumping through a feeder, I thought I was safe with leaving it open. Word to the wise...cover your tanks!

 

[Bent]

Or just don't buy 200-300 dollar fish?

Just messing with ya. Sorry for your loss friend. That sucks.

 

[CStrickland]

Sorry bud.
I was worried about my new anthias jumping through at the feeder I put on for them, so I put the mesh screen over the top of the ring. The pellets fall through the mesh. Might help you not lose another.

He looks full grown. So I guess another lesson is even if the fish hasn't jumped for a long time, he could do it tonight.

 

[drew2007]

Sorry to hear. I literally just put my borbonius in my display from qt about 2 hours ago. Got him for $150 shipped. Luckily I had this screen made for me.

 

[BigEZ77]

Sorry to hear that. Tough loss for sure.

 

[Jeff4777]

Thats lame.. cant blame yourself though it was just bad luck. I'm sure you will try to adjust the coverage somehow now around the auto feeder.

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks guys. Already have some 1/4" glued onto the bottom of the feeder.

 

[farfromsea]

Sorry to hear about your fish...
Any tips on covering a tank with a screen?
I don't have a drilled tank so I have some concerns properly sealing the area around the return pipe/flow from the pump as well as my HOB overflow. Isn't a simple as just making a square screen unfortunately!

 

[hobbzz]

I always have the same problems because I run my returns over the back and use auto feeders. Making a screen with brs 1/4" netting and frames from Lowes/hd, you can make 90 degree bends to go around pipes or things like feeders/overflow boxes.

 

[gm3184]

SCREENS SCREENS SCREENS! (dead borbonius)

Here is what I made on my frag tank works well

 

[gm3184]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hobbzz]

I've done just that before. But I've found that if the fish can physically get out of the water, they can get stuck on the rim of the tank or frame of the canopy.

 

[gm3184]

I have not had a problem with it yet. We will see


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hobbzz]

I dont think it happens often. Most fish are big enough to just fall back off the ledge. Some small ones like jawfish or firefish are more risky though.

 

[jminick2]

sorry for your loss I just had a scribbled angel jump while I was away. Sad part is there is usually a lid wife just left it off when she fed the fish

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks, you too. Scribbleds are my favorite angel by far. I had that happen too. About 10 years ago and two months ago. 10 years ago I was feeding or doing a water change and had a blue spot jawfish jump. Didn't notice that one until it was dried up on the floor days later. Had a blue flasher female jump while feeding. She hit the hardwood floor the wrong way and never recovered. She was only out of the water about 10 seconds so it was a bad landing. Recently had a helfrichi jump when I was breaking down a tank. I only removed one screen at a time while removing rock, but it jumped out the open section and landed on another screen, so it was silent. Didn't notice until it was dried up. Fish will definitely jump, even when you're careful.

 

[MattGatten]

Gorgeous fish. Sorry for your loss. I use egg crate most of the time. I'm away for more than 10 minutes. I don't care much for how the light is diffused. I worry constantly about fish getting into my overflow without my knowledge! Then there is the task of rescuing them. Now I think I need to fire up the CNC routers and make some nice acrylic covers for them. Rambling.

Again, I am sorry you lost such a nicefish. I love those things. I just don't have the guts to pull the trigger....yet!

Take care,
Matt

 

[hunterisgreat]

I've had to scoop my cowfish out of the overflow 3 times now...

 

[snyder415]

fish seem to find the smallest hole to escape from and commit suicide