Bizarre..

[jdunphy]

Ok I have a 39 gal cube with a full lid except the back 3 inches for the filter, heater, skimmer etc.

I bought 5 days ago (first fish in tank)

1 Pecula Clown
1 Chromis
1 Cardinal

Other then sand, live rock and 6 snails that is all I have in it. But today I come home and the Clown is gone. Cannot find it anywhere. It was small. 1 1/2 size. It is not in the rockwork, nor filter. Seems like the chances of this fish jumping out of the tank would be 1 out of 100,000 but I looked anyway. No where to be found. Like the title reads.... Bizarre... Any suggestions?
:?: 8O

 

[Anonymous]

You need to readjust the chances of the fish jumping out there. 3" is plenty of space. You didn't mention checking anywhere around or behind the tank.

 

[jdunphy]

Ok found it. I knew it had to be in the tank. I checked around the tank but my gut feeling was that it couldnt get out. BUT if by some miracle this little fish made it that far my dog would have snatched it up. So I moved the rock out and I found it underneth some rock. Now has anyone had a fish wedge it self under rock and get stuck and die? Or did it die on its own and then get stuck there? It was doing great last night swimming well eating well then bam I got home from work to this....

 

[Entacmaea]

Hi there, just checking- you said you bought the tank 5 days ago- was it already set-up/cycled? Are you testing the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

 

[Anonymous]

My guess is something dragged it under the rock after it died, such as a stone crab or even a bristle worm. Sorry for your loss. And I am curious about your repsonse to Entacmaea's query, too.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there, just checking- you said you bought the tank 5 days ago- was it already set-up/cycled? Are you testing the water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

I believe he means he got the fish 5 days ago.

 

[Entacmaea]

Ah, perhaps I misunderstood. If your water parameters are in line, then it could be a whole host of things, including just a sick fish. I would still check your water parameters to be sure. You could also have a mantis shrimp or other fish predator hiding in your tank, who knows. Check out the tank tonight with a flashlight and see what you can see...

 

[jdunphy]

Yes the fish 5 days ago. Water tests good so I just dont know. I dont have any crabs, or other preditors in the tank. Just what was listed earlier. I would just contribute to a sick fish but if it was it showed ZERO signs. It was eating well and swimming well. Oh well what can you do...

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, these things happen.

How long has the tank been set up?

 

[jdunphy]

Yes, these things happen.

How long has the tank been set up?

Not that long about a month and 1/2 that is what makes me leary but the water tests perfect and the other 2 fish are doing fine.