Who's the culprit? Two fish disappeared, completely...

[dansd]

I have a fairly new tank so I don't have my inhabitants. I have a few damsels, chocolate chip star, Scarlet hermit, cleaner shrimp. One of my Damsels, that appeared in fine health, up and disappeared. I assumed he dies, but even though I searched, I couldn't find any evidence of his remains. Two days later, another disappeared. The water is finishing cycling, but the levels of ammonia are zero, nitrite and nitrate are also near zero. I suspect the hermit crab had something to do with the disappearance. He's an active, outgoing kind of guy. But, could he actually catch and eat a fish? He practically dives for the chicken and shrimp I feed him, but I can't see him catching a fast moving fish.

 

[Anonymous]

It is not uncommon for fish to die while the tank is cyc. The hermits and star just did their job and cleaned up.

 

[Juck]

Yup,,, unless you have emerald crabs, CB Shrimp or some unknown crab hitch-hiker,,, I'd say it was your water chemistry that did it. Perhaps one of your test kits is off?

 

[danmhippo]

Did you ever hear any clicking sound in your tank? Maybe at night?

I would leave your tank without food for a week to 10 days. By the last day, bait your tank with some fresh shrimp/clam meat in a tall glass jar. Lean the jar next to your LR and wait and see who popped up.

 

[Anonymous]

He practically dives for the chicken

Do you really feed your fish chicken? I have never heard of anyone do this. I don't know how mcuh this will hurt your fish, I can say that it certainly is not a part of their natural diet.

I'd stick with shrimp, frozen and flake foods that are specifically made for marine fish. Fish need natural foods. A varied diet it also important to their health.

Louey

 

[dansd]

I only give chicken to the hermit. He loves it. I give it to him once or twice a week to suplement his clean up activities.

 

[spsmike]

Could have a mantis?Btw, how are your trates with the chicken feedings?