Can't find the dead fish, will it be okay.

[Heidivee]

I lost two small chromis...one a week ago and one since yesterday. I have two clownfish and one medium sized chromis left. I checked the filter, moved all the rocks, but can't find the two dead fish. It would be incredibly difficult to jump out. I just tested water, ammonia and nitrites 0, nitrates 5 to 10 ppm. 30 gallon tank is about 3 months old. What's going to happen next?

 

[ying yang]

Cuc if got any will eat the dead fish if any.
If no cuc and relatively new tank at 3 months old,the bio filter ( bacteria in and on the rocks) may sort out the decomposing body.
But if cant easily find the 2 dead chromis without ripping tank apart then could just test for ammonia daily or every few days to see if rising as that's your indicator.
A mature old aquarium would definately have no problems with 2 dead little fish,ovbiously bigger the tank bigger the bio filter.
Some say once a tank has done initial nitrogen cycle then the bio filter with bacteria is maxed out and no more space on any surface for more bacteria so should be able to decompose a dead fish or 2.others say takes time for bio filter to populate with bacteria.

But if I was you I would be looking where you say you looked and behind tank and if you got an aio tank with back chambers,look in there also and have good look in and around to rocks and lift a few rocks up if possible ,if still can't find then just test amnonia and nitrate a bit more often .
If you have hermits and nassarious snails,they could of found and eaten the dead fish already ^_^

 

[vetteguy53081]

Easily they can become wedged in and under rock. Before assuming if you did not see dead bodies that theu may be in overflow box or sump via the overflow
What test kits are you using ?

 

[Sebastiancrab]

If you have some Polyfilter, it will pull ammonia out of the water.

 

[Heidivee]

Cuc if got any will eat the dead fish if any.
If no cuc and relatively new tank at 3 months old,the bio filter ( bacteria in and on the rocks) may sort out the decomposing body.
But if cant easily find the 2 dead chromis without ripping tank apart then could just test for ammonia daily or every few days to see if rising as that's your indicator.
A mature old aquarium would definately have no problems with 2 dead little fish,ovbiously bigger the tank bigger the bio filter.
Some say once a tank has done initial nitrogen cycle then the bio filter with bacteria is maxed out and no more space on any surface for more bacteria so should be able to decompose a dead fish or 2.others say takes time for bio filter to populate with bacteria.

But if I was you I would be looking where you say you looked and behind tank and if you got an aio tank with back chambers,look in there also and have good look in and around to rocks and lift a few rocks up if possible ,if still can't find then just test amnonia and nitrate a bit more often .
If you have hermits and nassarious snails,they could of found and eaten the dead fish already ^_^

I lifted every rock and sifted the sand. Been checking levels since the first one went missing and they're good.

 

[mdb_talon]

Can't find the dead fish, will it be okay.​

Nope it going to still be dead.

Seriously though i would not worry much. A bigger fish or smaller tank i would worry more

 

[Heidivee]

Easily they can become wedged in and under rock. Before assuming if you did not see dead bodies that theu may be in overflow box or sump via the overflow
What test kits are you using ?

API. I have an aio and removed the filter.

 

[vetteguy53081]

API. I have an aio and removed the filter.

Assure your ammonia and nitrate are not elevated
I asked about test kits as zero didn’t seem right and suspect api kits were used as they are notorious for false readings
Take a good water sample to a trusted LFS that does Not use API test kits and see what readings they come up with

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve recently lost or haven’t seen a rather large mata tang .

there one day , gone the next .

years ago lost 2 mono and one 6” lion fish .
again there at night , gone in the morning ……

 

[blaxsun]

Just remember: No one objects to a free meal.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’ve recently lost or haven’t seen a rather large mata tang .

there one day , gone the next .

years ago lost 2 mono and one 6” lion fish .
again there at night , gone in the morning ……

If you have a cleaner crew who tend to bd awake at night, they’re likely pretty full
Have seen some reefers with cats in when the fish jumped out of the tank, the had a live lunch

 

[damsels are not mean]

I think the tank will be okay, keep testing I suppose. I would be more concerned about disease if 2 fish died together. Watch out for symptoms on the other fish.

 

[Rmckoy]

If you have a cleaner crew who tend to bd awake at night, they’re likely pretty full
Have seen some reefers with cats in when the fish jumped out of the tank, the had a live lunch

My cat is too fat and lazy to pay any attention .

how fast can a handful of crabs , 1 cleaner shrimp and 2 brittle stars dispose of a 6” fish ?

 

[Tamberav]

It is probably already worm food...

 

[vetteguy53081]

My cat is too fat and lazy to pay any attention .

how fast can a handful of crabs , 1 cleaner shrimp and 2 brittle stars dispose of a 6” fish ?

hours