Mystery sudden death hippo tang

[jtf74]

Can’t find body but Had this tang for about 3.5 years with 9 other medium sized fish in 280 gallons seemed fine yesterday and can’t find today. Only added one new fish in two years just a month ago a little yellow longnose qtd for 2.5 months and thriving in Dt. All my fish looking and acting great as tang was yesterday. No other tangs or potential bullies . Was feeding frozen omnivore clam/krill mix and mysis twice daily. Zero ammonia or nitrite detected temp is 75 and salinity is 1.028. Not sure what could have happened or what else to look for.

 

[Jekyl]

Check overflow and floor?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Tough to say without some prior symptoms. Even finding a body probably won't tell us anything. Fish do "disappear" from time to time - carpet surfing is one common reason (but unlikely with a tang). In other cases, the fish wedges itself into the rocks and then the CUC take care of it. I've had small fish go into the sump, but again, unlikely with a tang. I've had issues with eels and lungfish going into hiding, and then come out fine weeks or even months later. Again, unlikely with a tang like this.

Watch the remaining fish for subtle signs of issues - lack of feeding response and/or rapid breathing....


Jay

 

[jtf74]

Floor and pump intakes are negative. I have a pump to gravity fed sump and refugium. Didn’t come out at feeding this morning when others did . Was only about 4” so not nearly old enough.