How long does it take for one to consider a missing fish dead

[mayanreefer71]

Wrasse especially can hide for longer than comfortable periods of time.

Yep....I bought a Checkerboard wrasse over a month ago! Twice the size of my almost 1" little baby sixline wrasse....the second he saw the Checkboard, he lightning'd his way to attack the bigger wrasse in a way I've never seen him behave. Completely dominated the bigger wrasse and I've never seen him since! A few months back, I bought a yellow tang. Disappeared in a weekend! I have ALOT of crabs in my reef and 3 Olive snails....if a fish dies, I don't expect to find remains in my tank! But yes, I've had fish do Houdini's in my tank! A few weeks is what I give it.

 

[mayanreefer71]

Wrasses are also great jumpers... can't tell you over the years how many prized wrasses I found behind my tanks perished :(

I have had the same problems, but with gobies! I have lost so many due to not having a top over my tank. You'd think I'd learn to stop buying gobies.....nope.

 

[srad750c]

Gold coral banded shrimp stayed missing for over a year, was very small when I got him. I thought flame hawk ate him.

 

[jd371]

My first fish was a Firefish and with certain additions through the years he would go into hiding. When I added a CBB last year he went missing for a month. I haven't seen my Tailspot in over two months and presume he's a goner.