I found a dead fish

[Paul B]

I was moving around some rocks and corals because one of my shrimp/gobi pairs dug so many tunnels that corals were hitting each other so as I was digging around I found a freshly dead threadfin cardinal like I pictured.
I never find a dead fish as my fish usually live for years so I was surprised to find this one who was apparently healthy. My tank is 6' long and full of rock and corals so I can't see all the fish every day and I would not notice it missing. Then it dawned on me why it died. This fish was one of five thread fin cardinals I got when they were tiny about the same time maybe 7 months ago. Eventually when they grew, 4 of them paired off and started spawning. This one stayed smaller and now I know why. The paired ones didn't let him eat and they kept chasing him away when I fed the tank. The two mated pairs grew larger and bullied this one to where he had to spend his time sulking in the back of the tank and they would chase him if he ventured out in the open.
This is the one downfall in having healthy, spawning fish. They don't tolerate or play with others well. I will buy a pair of them to replace him and hopefully they will pair off and be left along by the bullies.

 

[rookie07]

Sorry to hear...interesting how they behave though.

 

[sammy32lee]

My mystery kept harassing my tailspot. Today I noticed one of my paired clown was in front of the tailspot like it was his bodyguard. Funny how fishes react!

 

[trinimaddness]

today i found my 6line on the ground when i realize it was missing and began looking for it i took one step back from the tank and "squash" i stepped on it so if it wasnt dead before it sure was now...

 

[rookie07]

today i found my 6line on the ground when i realize it was missing and began looking for it i took one step back from the tank and "squash" i stepped on it so if it wasnt dead before it sure was now...

If you have any wrasses, then a tank cover is almost a must. Wrasse Jump, its what they do. Kathyc has a great DIY net cover, and BRS has a easy kit for making covers (anyone could build a cover with the BRS kit)....look into a cover if possible, as wrasses will always jump.

 

[cmantis]

Paul I asked this in another thread but will ask here. Do cardinals pair off or is a trio possible? I know one of mine is a male for sure but haven't been able to sex the other yet.

Although after their first day together they are on opposite ends of the tank which doesn't look like a good start.

 

[Paul B]

Do cardinals pair off or is a trio possible?

I know my Bangai cardinals pair off but my threadfin cardinals seem to stay in mated, even groups. I am not sure if they spawn with different members of the group because they all look the same. But in my tank, the odd number, smaller one was bullied and did not get a chance to spawn. At least I don't think so which is the reason he stayed away from the group.
I also have another pair of a different type of cardinal that are spawning, I only have two of them so I don't know what would happen if I added another one and I really don't remember in the past if the cardinals stayed in mated pairs as I usually had one member of a species.

 

[vio]

Paul I asked this in another thread but will ask here. Do cardinals pair off or is a trio possible? I know one of mine is a male for sure but haven't been able to sex the other yet.

Although after their first day together they are on opposite ends of the tank which doesn't look like a good start.

I got Bangai cardinals pair, they got babys, i see the male (i assume) holding they in his mouth, to bad i do not have a good camera.

 

[MIKE NY]

Paul the same happened to my school..started out with six and which dwindled down to a breeding pair....then after a few spawning attempts the male killed off the female...I have only the single male for the last few months now...

 

[Paul B]

Very hard to get a picture of these guys