Royal Gramma Disappearance

[monarchckey88]

I had a bit of an odd situation recently in my 75 gallon - my Royal gramma disappeared last week. Curious if anyone has an opinion on what happened.

My Royal gramma was one of my original fish, alongside my clowns. Great health, got along with everyone, etc. Two weeks ago, part of her tail was missing, and she began hiding almost 24 hours a day in various rock caves. As the week progressed, I thought I saw some of the tail slowly regrowing. Now I can't find her at all, and it's been a week. I do not think she jumped as I have a tight fitting custom lid and I haven't found her outside the tank anywhere.

My gut says she went deep in the rockwork and passed away. That's just a guess. I have seen zero invert pattern changes to indicate a death. And all my parameters are normal, including 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. I would've expected a spike on one of those or some kind of behavior change from the tank mates, so maybe she's still alive?

Pictures attached. I don't know if it was another fish or she got caught in the rockwork. I suspect the latter as I never saw any aggression. One day she was completely fine, the next she was hiding constantly and her tail was injured.

Other tank inhabitants: 2 clownfish, yellow watchmen goby, tailspot blenny, blue sided fairy wrasse, blue green chromis, benggai cardinalfish, and a mandarin dragonette.

 

[Sasikumar Mohan]

I would not take zero ammonia as proof either way in a mature 75. The biofilter and scavengers can process a small fish without a measurable spike. Royal grammas can also stay deep in rockwork much longer than expected, especially after an injury. Before moving rock, I’d check the overflow, sump, rear corners, powerhead guards, and every gap around the lid, then watch from a distance after lights out with a dim red light. A tiny feeding may bring her far enough out to confirm she is alive. I’d also watch the tank at dusk and feeding time for aggression you may not see during the day. Was she still eating after the tail injury, and did the damaged edge look clean, ragged, or pale? Those details may help separate an abrasion from ongoing harassment. I hope she turns up.