Starry Blenny MIA

[GaretMac]

Hey all!

Started this tank early August. It lives at my urgent care office I manage (I am there more than I am home). A 32 LED Biocube that was cycled with 22 pounds of live rock and sand. I have a great lfs and have always used their water and bought all livestock from them.

Live stock as follows:
2 ocellaris clowns (one black female and one orange male)
3 turbo snails
3 blue legged hermits crabs (although I've only seen two recently)
Two small paly colonies
A gsp colony
Small feather duster that came on the live rock

Parameters are stable:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5-10
pH 8.2
sg 1.024
Temp 75.8-77.3
dKH 9
Calcium 520+
Phosphate 0

I do weekly water changes of about 20%. I added a starry blenny last Friday drip acclimated. He was very happy and out. Employees saw him Saturday. And has been MIA since. How long can they hide until presumed dead? I have TONS of nooks and crannies he could be in. No ammonia spike. I have checked all the chambers in the back and the floors and found nothing. Haven't ripped apart the tank as I'm afraid I'd hurt the inhabitants.

The feather duster has been out less and my palys have been closed a bit more but no other changes.

Setting up a QT tank at home after reading enough here to terrify me. I had a predator tank back in the early 00's and the hobby is much changed. Loving it though.

I worried about the little guy! They are supposed to have a ton of character.

 

[GaretMac]

 

[Maritimer]

Have you looked around and behind the tank, as well? It's possible he jumped . . .

I've heard of fish vanishing inside the tank for weeks at a time, only to reappear when they were least expected.

~Bruce

 

[eatbreakfast]

A blenny can stay hidden for awhile until it is comfortable. Don't go tearing apart the tank looking for it, as that does more harm than good. If it's still in there, give it another week or so.

 

[GaretMac]

I did check behind and under tank stand to see if he worked out. The tank does have a lid but there are opening in the back to allow pump and circulator cords out.

I'm buying some nori to lure him out. But, there's plenty of algae for him.

 

[GaretMac]

No signs of him.

 

[Maritimer]

Not sounding good ... though I've heard of fish showing up after a time of absence.

Cleanup crews can be too effective sometimes . . .

~Bruce

 

[GaretMac]

Still no signs of him. So bummed by this. All my parameters are good and the clowns are very happy! I have no idea what happened. The only thing is my palys are closed more often but none are melting.