Jumping Fish & Cats

kittenbritches · Oct 23, 2021

My anthias is missing at large, and he was always actively swimming around the tank previously. I've checked the regular hiding spots and have seen neither fin nor gill of him. I've also checked all around the tank to see if he Free Willy'd to his death. Nothing.

Has anyone ever had a fish jump and get eaten by their cat(s)? That's the only thing I can think of at this point. And I'm kind of grossed out.

The likely culprit(s):

PeterC99 · Oct 23, 2021

Would a cat be that fast to catch a fish in mid air?

I’m betting the fish will show up soon, unharmed, and probably thumbing his nose at the cats!

homer1475 · Oct 23, 2021

Yup, and both my dogs I have caught munching on carpet surfers in the past.

I think my dogs like them after they dried up a bit. Kind of like sushi jerky?

kittenbritches · Oct 23, 2021

PeterC99 said:
Would a cat be that fast to catch a fish in mid air?

I’m betting the fish will show up soon, unharmed, and probably thumbing his nose at the cats!

If they can catch a fly, they can catch a fish. But I go to bed at old lady hours, which leaves both the fish and cats unattended for a looooong time.

I hope you're right, though!

homer1475 said:
Yup, and both my dogs I have caught munching on carpet surfers in the past.

I think my dogs like them after they dried up a bit. Kind of like sushi jerky?

Hahaha, so gross!!!

Garf · Oct 23, 2021

Can’t help with your Missin fish but lovin’ your enthusiasm.

X-37B · Oct 23, 2021

One of my cats chewed the head off of a carpet surfing coris wrasse.
How is it that the fish find the only small feeding hole that would allow them to get to the ground?
Ok who is the fish head eater?

kittenbritches · Oct 23, 2021

90's reefer said:
One of my cats chewed the head off of a carpet surfing coris wrasse.
How is it that the fish find the only small feeding hole that would allow them to get to the ground?
Ok who is the fish head eater?

Ginger cat is guilty for SURE.

Not an IT guy · Oct 23, 2021

Just ask the cats. Idk

Rmckoy · Oct 23, 2021

Neither of my cats have ever ate carpet surfing fish .
I always find them dried up ..

But the last lawnmower blenny that jumped. .I caught my one cat playing pawing at something on the floor.
it was a dead but still wet blenny .

Mywifeisgunnakillme · Oct 23, 2021

They look guilty to me!

Rmckoy · Oct 23, 2021

Mywifeisgunnakillme said:
They look guilty to me!

The give away would be one licking their lips

Auquanut · Oct 23, 2021

kittenbritches said:
Ginger cat is guilty for SURE.

Yeah. I think you're probably right. Sure, they look like productive members of the family, but if you look into their eyes, you can see the mental gears turning. "Hey. You look tired. relax, we'll watch the tank and let you know if anything happens". Wink wink, nod nod, wink wink.

James_O · Oct 23, 2021

Sorry to hear about that.

I’ve never had fish jump period, but I do have cats. They usually just sit and watch the fish, but never make a move to try to catch them.

X-37B · Oct 23, 2021

Auquanut said:
Yeah. I think you're probably right. Sure, they look like productive members of the family, but if you look into their eyes, you can see the mental gears turning. "Hey. You look tired. relax, we'll watch the tank and let you know if anything happens". Wink wink, nod nod, wink wink.

Yep most likely was. It does like to watch the fish swim in this old pic.

kittenbritches · Oct 23, 2021

Rmckoy said:
Neither of my cats have ever ate carpet surfing fish .
I always find them dried up ..

But the last lawnmower blenny that jumped. .I caught my one cat playing pawing at something on the floor.
it was a dead but still wet blenny .

Oh yikes! I literally watched a damsel jump out of my tank a day or two ago. Luckily I was able to scoop him up and chuck him back in. I think he's decided he prefers the water.

James_O said:
Sorry to hear about that. I’ve never had fish jump period, but I do have cats. They usually just sit and watch the fish, but never make a move to try to catch them.

Wally (the wide-eyed one) watched my clownfish and batted at them through the glass when they were new. Now he'll just look in once in a while when I'm feeding. Ellie was a stray, so I can only assume she has been a bad influence. Heh.

Rmckoy · Oct 23, 2021

kittenbritches said:
Ginger cat is guilty for SURE.

Gotta watch the gingers .

Onewolf · Oct 23, 2021

Kitten,

It sounds like fix jumping out is a common occurrence. Do you not have a cover?

Jedi1199 · Oct 23, 2021

I found a headless watchman goby on the floor in my bedroom one morning. (tanks are all in the living room on other side of the house). and a smiling cat dozing peacefully on the foot of the bed...