A Mystery To Me..

[bbaum33]

I am recently new to this hobby, I have had my 75 gallon tank for about 3 months now, and I have made a few expensive mistakes. I have corrected them, and now I am running into a problem that I don't know what is happening. At first, I added to many fish too fast, and did not have alot of hiding places for them. Which resulting in mostly all my fish dying, but not my inverts. Now I am starting to buy fish slowly, and what is happening is the fish that mainly stay out of the rock have dissapeared, and the ones that are constantly in the rock are not dissapearing. 2 clownfish, and a longhorn cowfish have dissapeared in 2 days. The wierd thing is I know the cowfish skeleton has to be in there somewhere, but I cannot find it for anything. I thought my coral banded shrimp got my clownfish, but I don't think thats what it is. Any suggestions?
Here are a couple of pics of my tank before and after.

 

[110innc]

Jumping maybe?

Thats my only guess. Good luck finding an answer.

 

[bbaum33]

well see I have egg crate on top plus fans on top of the egg crate plus the canopy on top. I am wondering if it's something in the rock, but if it is why wouldn't it go for the fish and shrimp that are constantly dwelling in the rock.

 

[srfisher17]

A longhorn cowfish, while interesting, is a very tough fish to keep. When the die, or even get very stressed, they release toxin that can kill about everything in the tank. If its carcass is still in there, you'd better find it ASAP. BTW, I'm glad to see to asking for opinions on the forum! I'd strongly suggest you do this BEFORE you add critters. It will save you a lot of frustration and $. This place has been a great help to me.

 

[bbaum33]

Thank you for the suggestion! I have had another cowfish that got stressed and died and was in my tank dead for about a day, and I was told that more than likely my tank is big enough that the toxins released by the cowfish won't harm the other fish, but the thing is he was not stressed, and was eating very well, prior to this one I had one for about 2 months, and it died cause I don't think it go enough to eat, which was my fault, but I am trying to figure out what happened to him, and my 2 clowfish. :/

 

[metweezer]

OK you knew this was coming.

What are your parameters? Temp, SG, PH, Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate?

 

[bbaum33]

Temp: 78
SG: 1.024
PH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10 ppm

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by bbaum33
http:///forum/post/2624528
Thank you for the suggestion! I have had another cowfish that got stressed and died and was in my tank dead for about a day, and I was told that more than likely my tank is big enough that the toxins released by the cowfish won't harm the other fish, but the thing is he was not stressed, and was eating very well, prior to this one I had one for about 2 months, and it died cause I don't think it go enough to eat, which was my fault, but I am trying to figure out what happened to him, and my 2 clowfish. :/
If the fish were small then the cleanup crew would have eaten them after they died.

 

[bbaum33]

true, but what killed the fish is the question? both clowfish dissappeared at the same time, and they both were brand new, strong, healthy fish.

 

[reefforbrains]

Never underestimate how quick your cleanup crew can snack on a meal. They fight over the body and drag parts of it back to hiding spots where they dont have to compete for it.
Could be hiding under a rock. How long has it been since you seen them?
Children smacking on the tank? Fish can find a hole and park themselves for a day or two out of fear and it looks like a complete vanishing act. You have a decent amount of rockwork so might just give it another day or so and revisit from the beginning.
Children bothering tank?
Hitchiker mantis/pistol attacking the fish?
Domino effect from AM/trite spike and then multiple deaths eaten by clean up crew?
Who knows yet.

 

[perfectdark]

Dont rule out acclimation shock either... even though they look good the first day doesnt mean by the 3rd day they still are.
3 days is the window before your clear from acclimation shock. Even some of the hardiest species can fall victim, leaving the hobbiest wondering. JMO

 

[faqbch99]

Need a full stock list please.

 

[bbaum33]

1 cleaner shrimp
2 blood shrimp
1 lawnmower blenny
1 sixline wrasse
1 electric flame scallop
1 sand tiger conch
20 red and blue leg hermit crabs
10 snails

 

[bbaum33]

well, thank you reefforbrains, and perfectdark. Its been about 3 days for both clownfish, and 2 days for the cowfish, but they never went into the rock they were always out and about. No children have seen the tank. My guess was a hitchhiker, but the fish, and inverts on the rock at night are doin good. The domino effect sounds more like what could have happened. I have had only one poor acclimation shock, and it was a starfish, but I can't rule that out either. I really really appreciate the suggestions; it is helping me greatly.