Missing Fish ???

[Marco S]

I bought 6 Blue/Green Chromis knowing that I would lose a few and have lost three, (maybe four) so far. This morning I wake up and there is another one missing, but I cannot find the body anywhere. This is a 45 gallon QT with bare bottom and no rock so there isn't anywhere for him to hide at all, but I cannot find him.

I also have a medium sized Harlequin Tusk and Powder Brown Tang in the tank. My question is, could the Harlequin Tusk have eaten him? That's the only option I see, but the fish was about 3 inches so I would assume there would be something left since the Tusk couldn't fit the whole fish in his mouth at his size yet.

 

[litenyaup]

Have you checked in filtration?

 

[Marco S]

Have you checked in filtration?

Yes, it's a HOB and the entry pipe has a fish proof nozzle on it, (no way he could fit) but I did take it all apart and check anyway and found nothing. I am really confused at this point...

 

[Marco S]

Also, the tank has a lid and there is no way he could have jumped, but I did check all around the tank just in case he made it out the small space for the filter or heater, No sign of this fish anywhere.

 

[Jesterrace]

Do you have any hermit crabs in the tank?

 

[litenyaup]

Did any fish as though they were sick?

 

[Marco S]

Do you have any hermit crabs in the tank?

No, I QT inverts separate. The only things in the tank are 2 Chromis left, 1 Harlequin Tusk and 1 Powder Brown Tang, nothing else.

 

[Marco S]

I do have four PVC pieces in there as well, but I have already taken them out and checked inside all of them and underneath...it just disappeared.

I think I am done with Chromis...

 

[BestMomEver]

Has to be the tusk and other chromis. It is odd though.

 

[Jeight]

either hopped out or was eaten chromis can be savages

 

[Marco S]

Has to be the tusk and other chromis. It is odd though.

So, it's not normal for a Tusk to eat dead fish? I assume he died and was eaten since the Tusk has not been aggressive at all to live fish so far, but he tears up any shrimp or clams I feed him.

 

[BestMomEver]

So, it's not normal for a Tusk to eat dead fish? I assume he died and was eaten since the Tusk has not been aggressive at all to live fish so far, but he tears up any shrimp or clams I feed him.

Possible

 

[sfin52]

I bought 6 Blue/Green Chromis knowing that I would lose a few and have lost three, (maybe four) so far. This morning I wake up and there is another one missing, but I cannot find the body anywhere. This is a 45 gallon QT with bare bottom and no rock so there isn't anywhere for him to hide at all, but I cannot find him.

I also have a medium sized Harlequin Tusk and Powder Brown Tang in the tank. My question is, could the Harlequin Tusk have eaten him? That's the only option I see, but the fish was about 3 inches so I would assume there would be something left since the Tusk couldn't fit the whole fish in his mouth at his size yet.

Yes

 

[sfin52]

I do have four PVC pieces in there as well, but I have already taken them out and checked inside all of them and underneath...it just disappeared.

I think I am done with Chromis...

Ive seen Harlequin tusk take out smaller fish. It was brutal