Mystery Fish Disappearances

[marlins76]

I have had a 24 gallon JBJ Nano tan for almost 5 months now. Within the last two weeks, I have had a firefish, peppermint shrimp, and yellow watchman goby completely disappear (all at separate times). Its a mystery because I also have a clownfish and a green chromis but they seem fine. Ive checked the floor around my tank, the back filtration area, and all around the tank and there is no sign of them anywhere. And its not like ive seen skeletons or anything either. Does anyone have any idea what in the world is going on with my tank??
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
Also in the tank...
Cleaner Shrimp, Sandsifting starfish, fancy nassarius snail, small sea urchin, turbos

 

[kingsmith]

Have you noticed any unusual noise coming from the tank?

 

[cranberry]

What is a fancy nassarius? Is that a Babylonia snail? That could polish off a dead fish or invert in a heartbeat.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3170223
What is a fancy nassarius? Is that a Babylonia snail? That could polish off a dead fish or invert in a heartbeat.

I have a couple of these "fancy" guys in my 225G
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=4

 

[cranberry]

Ummm.... that's not a nassarius.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3170243
Ummm.... that's not a nassarius.
LOL...what is it? It goes under my sand and cleans it...I hope that's all it's doing

 

[cranberry]

It's a Babylonia. Can be predatory on other mollusc, mostly carrion. HUGE eaters.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3170248
It's a Babylonia. Can be predatory on other mollucks, mostly carrion. HUGE eaters.
SOOOOO good or bad to have???

 

[cranberry]

I have one....

 

[marlins76]

are they known to eat live fish though??

 

[jc germ]

Have you heard any ticking noises coming from your tank ???

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3170223
What is a fancy nassarius? Is that a Babylonia snail? That could polish off a dead fish or invert in a heartbeat.
A fancy nassarius is a Nassarius distortus (aka Super-Tongan) they just have a nicer shell but are completely identical otherwise to a regular nassarius.

 

[btldreef]

Sounds like you've got a hitchhiker in your tank. My guess, an evil crab. I'm saying this because you're loosing bottom dwellers that live in the rock work (except the firefish). Turn the lights off, wait about 30 mins, feed your tank and then look around with a small flashlight. I'm 90% sure you'll fine a crab, you may have to try looking a few times, you can also try doing this without feeding. It probably came in your LR and is now finally getting big enough to eat your fish/inverts and fish food isn't enough to maintain it's diet anymore. I had the same exact thing happen. I doubt it's actually a mantis shrimp, as some people are assuming with asking you if you hear clicking in your tank since you still have CUC members. A mantis would have wiped out your CUC first, them went for fish (usually anyways).
Good luck.

 

[cranberry]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3170619
A fancy nassarius is a Nassarius distortus (aka Super-Tongan) they just have a nicer shell but are completely identical otherwise to a regular nassarius.
That's the problem with common names, because the Fancy nass in the link is a Babylonia.

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3170640
That's the problem with common names, because the Fancy nass in the link is a Babylonia.
I know. I try to provide the scientific name whenever possible for this exact reason. I love the common and designer names for things in this hobby. I had an argument with a LFS worker once about the fact that Goniopora and Flower Pot Coral being the same thing, he refused the agree.

 

[cranberry]

My husband literally uses the scientific names for everything in regular old conversation. Even in regards to our own fish. Sometimes I look at him and say "In English please....".

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3170653
My husband literally uses the scientific names for everything in regular old conversation. Even in regards to our own fish. Sometimes I look at him and say "In English please....".

 

[aquapod 24]

did you check in the back yet? seems like a stupid question, but all the things you lost were small and thay can fit between the back wall and the top(atleast in an aquapod, dont know about jbj) I have a dottyback that i lost and i couldnt find. the firs time i looked back there i dod not see anything, but the next day my sally crab went back there and i saw the 2 of them back there.

 

[marlins76]

I have looked back there but to no avail.
And in regards to clicking noises...I havent heard anything yet but ill try to see if I can hear anything.
And I also think that a hitchhiker crab could be responsible for this so Im going to try to find it. Do you think luring it out at night with a small piece of raw shrimp may work??