Ripped, teathered and damaged fins on my fish

[jawwad2004]

Everyday another fish seems to have ripped or teathered fins and tails. Some even have scars on them. My Flame angel had his top back literally ripped off. I can see a part of the skeleton!
What can be causing this?

 

[marrone]

It sounds like a mantis shrimp or possibly a crab. Did you notice any fish missing?

Also what other fish do you have? Torn fins could be from fish fighting.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

also what are the size of the animals that have this torn fin issues?

 

[jawwad2004]

Marrone, actually in the past 2 months I have lost a total of 6 chromis's.
This is the fish list in my tank:
Blue Hippo Tang 4"
Yellow Tang 3"
Flame Angel 2.5"
2 Sebae Clowns 2 - 2.5"
3 Chromis's 1 - 1.5"
1 Yellow Tail Damsel - 1.5"

 

[drunktank]

any clicking noise from the tank at night when the lights are out?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

sounds horrible. i was gonna say it could be a fish but i don't think so. 6 chromis gone! has to be a crab or mantis. wait until night time and go hunting for the bastard.

 

[jawwad2004]

Haha, scarface, you're funny!
But yes, Drunktank there have been unusually loud clicking sounds from my tank towards lights out time. Even my girlfriend asked me what the sound was. I did first assume that it could be a mantis, but I have never seen it in my tank. I think I am going to have to go hunting and catch the SOB.

 

[marrone]

Not all Mantis Shrimp give off clicking sounds. Some are slashers and not clubbers, so you're not going to hear anything but will see slashes on your fish, from them trying to grab the fish.

I would get a Mantis trap and see if you can catch it that way.

 

[drunktank]

marrone is correct, however, if u hear clicking chances are its a mantis. You can either get a trape or start ur tear down probably got it as a hitch hicker- wait till real late at night, get a flash light and look thru ur tank.

 

[jawwad2004]

I heard of people making their own traps, any suggestions?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

some members have traps. maybe they can lend you one.

 

[jawwad2004]

Cool, Ill put a request out now!

 

[Dmitry]

I have a good acrylic fish trap that would probably work (got it from marinedepot.com; just type in "fish trap" to see what it looks like). I can lend it to you. You can pick up in Manhattan (Hell's Kitchen) in the evenings Mon-Fri. Just let me know.