Fish keep disappearing? Who is the culprit?

[Xandernfs]

Cliff Note Version: Over the past year I've been through 3 midas blennies and a leopard wrasse. ALL have disappeared. I'm thinking I have something in the tank that is killing new fish. Current fish: 2 clowns, McCosker's wrasse, Wheeler's goby all in a Reefer 250. They have all been in there for 8+ months.

My latest casualty was a leopard wrasse. She was eating well and displaying no signs of stress or being bullied. 6 days later I couldn't locate her and then I saw a huddle of hermits and an emerald crab. All were eating her. If it happens to be an invert, I'm thinking it's either the emerald crabs (I have 2) or a fighting conch (I have 2). Could any of these be the culprit? I'm getting quite frustrated that my fish keep disappearing.

Side note: I'm aware that one of the three blennies wasn't eating before he went missing. I know that if they die, they are consumed by the tank. As of now I'm hesitant to add any more fish as they keep going MIA. What would you do in this situation?

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Well, I am pretty sure it is not the conch and I find it unlikely that it is the emerald crabs.
How long has the tank been set up and where did you get your rock? If you have real live rock you could have a mantis shrimp or something else that hitchhiked in and is causing the issues.

 

[Xandernfs]

Well, I am pretty sure it is not the conch and I find it unlikely that it is the emerald crabs.
How long has the tank been set up and where did you get your rock? If you have real live rock you could have a mantis shrimp or something else that hitchhiked in and is causing the issues.

All was rock was dried out except for one piece that was purchased from LFS.

 

[Wolf89]

What kind of hermits are they? Thin striped hermits are very aggressive and will kill fish

 

[Xandernfs]

What kind of hermits are they? Thin striped hermits are very aggressive and will kill fish

All my hermits are quite small. I have one scarlet red leg and the rest have more of a brown/blue leg combo.

 

[Beardo]

I don't see anything on your stock list that would be killing your fish. The inverts are just being opportunistic and doing what they do by feeding on the dead carcasses.
Leopard wrasses are on the sensitive side anyways.

 

[jda]

The most likely scenario is that they just died of normal causes/stress and the clean up crew is doing their job and cleaning.

 

[Xandernfs]

Any other thoughts?

 

[mtdaly85]

Do you quarantine your fish? Marine velvet can kill overnight (just a few hours) and can often show no physical symptoms.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Do you have a cover on the tank? Had similar issues until I put a cover on and haven't lost a fish since.

 

[Xandernfs]

Do you quarantine your fish? Marine velvet can kill overnight (just a few hours) and can often show no physical symptoms.

Unfortunately I do not. It was quarantined at my LFS, but I'm weary of using copper on wrasses

Do you have a cover on the tank? Had similar issues until I put a cover on and haven't lost a fish since.

I have an artfully actylic lid on my tank. There really isn't a location that they could've jumped.

 

[ca1ore]

The most likely scenario is that they just died of normal causes/stress and the clean up crew is doing their job and cleaning.

Yup! Seems fashionable for the reefing novice to go looking for some lurking boogie man when the far more likely explanation is that they just died. CUC does exactly what the name implies they do.

 

[Xandernfs]

Yup! Seems fashionable for the reefing novice to go looking for some lurking boogie man when the far more likely explanation is that they just died. CUC does exactly what the name implies they do.

I hope that's the case. I'm going to give it another shot in a week or so. Any reason not to?

 

[ca1ore]

Leopards are tough. I've had my fair share of them that look just fine one day, dead the next. Midas blennies are easier, but can come in quite thin and refuse to eat. I'd say bad luck!