Known jumper list

[Mr. Bill]

As others have stated, any fish is susceptible to jumping. One pro aquarist wrote a few years ago in a journal, "Reef fish lack the natural instinct necessary for surviving in a glass box, as they are not accustomed to living so close to the water's surface or dry land".

 

[cycled123]

zebra barred dartfish. Made it the floor when I opened the lid to feed (He's fine) But I do fairly consistently hear the 3 of them hit the mesh lid. Thankfully I have a tight fitting one!

 

[saullman]

I lost a black clown when he jumped out of the tank. I wasn't home when it happened. Only had him for a few weeks.

 

[saltyhog]

Only live fish jump.

Literally any fish can and will jump. Wrasses are certainly at the top of the list in probability but surprisingly to me gobies are very high as well. You would think a bottom dwelling/perching fish would be much less likely to jump but every goby I've had has tried to jump.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

I lost a long nose hawk fish after about 4 days then later had a firefish jump.

 

[ca1ore]

As noted any fish can jump, though some more likely than others. Flasher and fairy wrasses are notorious for it.

 

[Sump Crab]

I have had a lot of fish jump over the 15 years or so that I have been in the SW hobby. List includes Potters Angel (2 years), Flagfin Angel (6 months), Scooter Blenny (1 year), Melenarus Wrasse (3 years) - that is all I remember right now. I tried eggcrate one time but it was so dang ugly that I quit using it.

 

[Wradasse]

Chromis
Flasher and fairy wrasses
Clownfish
Dartfish
Hawkfish

Those are the ones I’ve lost to jumping.

 

[evolved]

8 years later, this post is still 100% applicable:

In certain situations all fish will jump.

The exceptions would be something like a frogfish or angler, but even then...

I had a 14"+ lionfish come shooting out of a tank at me as I walked past (I fed them, he got excited) the aquarium at a store I used to work at.

If you truly care about your fish put a top on it. It's simple, cheap and literally saves lives. I have a rimless aquarium, with a top on it when I'm not around. If I'm doing maintenance, taking pictures or having visitors, the top comes off. As soon as I leave the room it goes back on.

 

[Greybeard]

Lost an Ocellaris clown due to jumping. Only jumper I've had from my current open top reef.

Sorry, not putting a net top on this tank. Just like the open top look.

 

[sanchoy]

Pair of flame wrasse, somehow found a 3 inch opening in crate top and went through what the heck!

Gobies

Snowflake eel, well he made it after out all night. On the carpet, fizzing up. But came back to life.