The case of the disappering fish....

danj

danj

Member
Hi I could use some help. I have a 29 gallon tank w/ some live rock a hatian anenome, 2 shark catfish (4"), 4 yellow tail damsels (small), 1 blue damsel, 2 hawaiian damsels, 1 zebra dmsel, 3 yellow tangs (2"), 1 orange clownfish (small), 2 percula clowns (1 1/2-2"), about 5 redlegg and 1 blue legged hermit crabs, 3 or 4 snails,1 clam, 2 small peppermint shrimp, and a small emerald crab that has not been seen in weeks. Here is the problem, lastnight I put in 4 marroon clown fish, acclimated them, they grouped together w/ the other clown I have, well this morning they dissappeared, along with the clam. Now this has been happening a lot, at night I loose at least 1 fish, a diamond goby which I just got from SWF.com 2 blue Hippo tangs, numerous other clownfish, a couple of zebra damsels ... I don't know what to do, any ideas???? :help:
 
moray345

moray345

Active Member
you definitely have your tank overstocke and 29 is not close to the size any tang needs no wonder you have been loosing fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:nope: its also not smart to mix clowns they will get in fights
SORRY,
Moray345
 
C

capschamp

Guest
You have an awful lot of fish in a small tank. I am by no means an expert but they could be dying and being eaten or slipping between your rocks. how high are your nitrates with all of those in there?
 
danj

danj

Member
The 3 tangs are new to the tank.... there are only 3 or 4 live rocks and can be viewed across the back of the tank from the side, there are no trace of any of the missing fish, or of the missing clam. I was told since the fish in the tank are only on the average about 1-1 1/2" I could stock up to about 15 - 18 fish. My nitrite and nitrates are all normal, ph 8.2 water temp 78f, I use an emporor 400 & a protien skimmer. any other ideas?
:confused:
 
dedwards

dedwards

Member
You can't use the current size of the fish when estimating bioload. You need to use the adult size. I wouldn't put more than 4-5 fish in a 29 gallon tank.
 
velocity1

velocity1

Member

Originally posted by DanJ
The 3 tangs are new to the tank.... there are only 3 or 4 live rocks and can be viewed across the back of the tank from the side, there are no trace of any of the missing fish, or of the missing clam. I was told since the fish in the tank are only on the average about 1-1 1/2" I could stock up to about 15 - 18 fish. My nitrite and nitrates are all normal, ph 8.2 water temp 78f, I use an emporor 400 & a protien skimmer. any other ideas?
:confused:
Listen i dont know if this is what you think or what someone has told you- you can not fit 15-18 fish in a 29 gallon. Your tangs are probably under extreme stress because of the damsels. Also two different types of clownfishes cant be introduced together in the same tank- they will fight. I suggest u research
 
danj

danj

Member
Okay we are fixating on the number of fish in the tank, that's not helping any. What the bioload will be when these fish are adults, no a concern right now. If I have to move them later I will. Like the catsharks will be in a new tank soon. But anyway I would like to know how 4 clownfish & 1 clam just disappeared over night. :confused: much to the dismay of the residents I moveed all the rocks and could not find even a bone, no residulas that I even had these fish..... and the clam has not moved in two weeks now gone... like the others. occasionally I lose one overnight, fine for the evening feeding gone by morning. any clues????
 
danj

danj

Member
the sharkcats are best guess about 4" the clam about the size of a half dollar, (I just got it from SWF.com a couple of weeks ago) the clownslike the small orange one in the picture about 1"
 
fishy411

fishy411

Member
did u keep fw fish b4 this?
Those sharkcats look like they're 6"
Even if they're not a 4" SHARKcat will eat a 1" clownfish anyday. Please use some common sense.
 
danj

danj

Member
okay I put a ruler to the tank the sharkcats are about 6". So I'll admit it could be them that are eating my fish but what about the disappearance of the clam?:notsure:
 
moray345

moray345

Active Member
he ate the clam also what do you think it just dissapeared:nope: :nope: :nope: :nope: :nope:
HOW MUCH REASEARCH DID YOU DO I MEAN
COME ON
 
jacknjill

jacknjill

Active Member
is it a cleaner clam? also, i second everyones opinion on getting rid of almost all of those fish. the rule of thumb is 1 in of fish per 5 gallons. in a 29, that is about 5.8 in of fish. you do the math
 
velocity1

velocity1

Member
if i were u buddy, id get rid of everything in that tank. I did the math and you currently have a total of 90 inches of fish at full growth- your suppose to have 5.8. wow
 
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