Fish Disappearing -- Pisciverous T. Radiata??????

[TomH]

over the past three days, I've lost (literally lost -- as in "nowhere to be found") the only two fish in my tank (a citron Goby and filamented flasher wrasse. No signs of distress were noted, and no corpses were found.

All readings are normal on this 3-4 month old tank:

Amm = 0
Nitrite =0
Nitrate <5
SG = 1.025 and none of the occupants exhibit any signs of distress.

Other occupants of the tank include a small fungia, a pocillipora, a green M. Dig, a Purple M. Dig, a brown/pink M. Cap., a caulaustraea, some hitchiker porites and one very large, fast-growing and aggresive T. radiata brain.

I have not heard any "popping" that would indicate the presence of a mantis (nor should there be one -- all my rock is Indo-pacific), nor have I seen any crabs or stars.

Could the brain be the culprit? Its tentacles are often extended, and I've noticed both the goby and wrasse hovering near it in the past.

I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this, b/c I'm at a complete loss.


BTW -- no chance that they jumped -- the canopy is enclosed with fibreglass screening and the overflow is cordoned off w/ eggcrate.

Tom

 

[TomH]

Anyone????

 

[Len]

No idea ..... the brain may be responsible but it's unlikely. I've never had a brain coral snare a fish before, let alone two. Since both these fish sleep close to the substrate/rock, I'd guess something was attacking them while they slept. Don't know what though. It could be anything from cone snails to aggressive worms to crustaceans.

 

[MarkO1]

No anemones in the tank?
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Mercedes Benz SLK Class

 

[TomH]

Nope, no anemone. I guess I'll have to keep fresh batteries in the red flashlight for those late-night feedings. Hopefully I'll eventually spot the bad guy.

Thanks for your help.

Tom