Do I have a thief? Fish disappearing...

[Djbetterly]

I'm very confused, in the past week I've had two fish simply disappear. So far its been a yasha hazy goby and a yellow wrasse. I do know my splendid dotty back is a bully, but I can't imagine he could kill them and dispose of the bodies too. These things are no where to be found. Can a CUC clean up in 24 hrs or less?


Ugh...

By the way, I check my parameters at lest 2-3 times per week. My temp never goes above 81.5 and pH is very consistent. I'm baffled, confused and frustrate.

 

[Mike389]

check your overflow if you have one... this happens from sometimes to me.

 

[Djbetterly]

I wish that was the case, I don't have one.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

The yasha gobi is a hider!! This i know , but look behind your tank for jumpers

 

[Djbetterly]

Yeah, I've been looking for days for the goby. He was very consistent about eating, especially if I through some mysis in, haven't seen him in days. I've looked on the ground, under the tank, and believe me, my place isn't that big.

 

[masterswimmer]

Both of those fish are hiders. You could EASILY got a month without seeing either of them and suddenly they'll appear. The wrasse can certainly remain in the sandbed for weeks at a time.

The goby could have found a new burrow under the rock in the middle of your tank.

FYI, the cuc can certainly dispose of a body in 24 hours.....if the cuc is big enough.

Russ

 

[Djbetterly]

Thank you Russ, I guess I'll be patient. Your opinion is always valued.

 

[bizzarro]

Try checking the tank at night with a flash light or look for dried clumps of dust that was once a fish on the floor.

 

[Andyv2004]

brittle star

Do you have any type of spiky brittle stars like a green brittle, those guys are killing machine and will dispose a body in no time.

 

[masterswimmer]

Thank you Russ, I guess I'll be patient. Your opinion is always valued.

My pleasure Dustin. Hey, it's all conjecture at this point. I'm trying to be the consummate optimist since there's no evidence to the contrary.

A red LED flashlight won't startle any of the tanks inhabitants like a white LED will. Red LED for nighttime viewing is my light of choice. Even a white flashlight with a piece of red cellophane covering the lens will work.

GL with your search and recovery, I hope it pans out.

R

PS - Thanks for the kind words :grouphug:

 

[Djbetterly]

The wrasse is alive!!! Stayed at my GF's last night, so I checked my webcam this morning and its very clear the wrasse is alive and well. Thank you guys for listening.

 

[masterswimmer]

The wrasse is alive!!! Stayed at my GF's last night, so I checked my webcam this morning and its very clear the wrasse is alive and well. Thank you guys for listening.

:biggrin:

This is all part of the fascination of reef life. Hopefully the Yasha will reappear as well. Enjoy

R