Sometimes this hobby is heartbreaking . . .

[Mini Coop]

I have been brought to tears many times in this hobby.
Last week, one of my female anthias disappeared. I couldn't find her anywhere. They have only been in the main tank for about 3 weeks. No clue where she could have gone.

Yesterday morning was one of the worst moments. I was getting my boys backpacks out of the "fish room" and in the darkness saw something big and white go across the glass . . . I turned on the light in the room to see my Niger Trigger (Malificent) eating my wheelers shrimp goby (Tigger)!! I went and started hitting the glass yelling (as if she can understand me) to let it go! Needless to say she didn't listen, and my 5 year old witnessed it all happen. We both cried . . . A LOT! I felt silly telling a friend what had happened, but she said for normal people, this would be the equivalent of "I woke up and my dog ate my cat". Yep. Pretty much!! Tigger was one of our favorite fish. We loved watching him pop in and out of his hole and his little shrimp (which - what will happen to him?). And Malificent was the show fish of the tank. so beautiful and a gorgeous deep blue. I knew a niger was 50/50 at being reef safe, but she is still a baby, so I never imagined this.

Needless to say - we caught her tonight and she is in prison until I find a buyer for her. Just a sad day for us. These fish are our pets, and we are completely attached. And we spend so much time and energy in making SO SURE that they are all healthy and safe and have a good life in our home.

That being said . . . since we have a chance to add more fish . . . probably in a couple months, are there different goby's you would suggest? What about a "show fish" or another larger fish that might be a good addition? Noah is excited to help mommy pick out new fish for the tank again (we thought our stock was full - not so much). Not in a rush.

Current List:
FoxFace
Sailfin
Powder Blue
Naso
Flamehawk
2 Clowns
Pintail Fairy Wrasse
Blue Star leopard wrasse (debating on adding 2 more so if she changes to male I will still have 2 female)
Diamond Goby
Bella Goby
Scooter Blenny (or dragonette)
Cardinal
McCosker Flasher Wrasse
Male Spotfin Anthia
2 Female Anthia

Have always wanted a pair of mandarins, but not sure I have the pod population to support them yet.

 

[Triggreef]

Tanks size? Seems like a lot of fish. Sorry for your loss. I had a sargassum eat a royal gramma in quarantine once... Sucks

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Sorry about this. I am the same way with my guys and gals.

 

[Mini Coop]

Tanks size? Seems like a lot of fish. Sorry for your loss. I had a sargassum eat a royal gramma in quarantine once... Sucks

I have a 180 - total water volume of 240. Keep in mind that most of these are pretty small fish too.

 

[DHill6]

I have been brought to tears many times in this hobby.
Last week, one of my female anthias disappeared. I couldn't find her anywhere. They have only been in the main tank for about 3 weeks. No clue where she could have gone.

Yesterday morning was one of the worst moments. I was getting my boys backpacks out of the "fish room" and in the darkness saw something big and white go across the glass . . . I turned on the light in the room to see my Niger Trigger (Malificent) eating my wheelers shrimp goby (Tigger)!! I went and started hitting the glass yelling (as if she can understand me) to let it go! Needless to say she didn't listen, and my 5 year old witnessed it all happen. We both cried . . . A LOT! I felt silly telling a friend what had happened, but she said for normal people, this would be the equivalent of "I woke up and my dog ate my cat". Yep. Pretty much!! Tigger was one of our favorite fish. We loved watching him pop in and out of his hole and his little shrimp (which - what will happen to him?). And Malificent was the show fish of the tank. so beautiful and a gorgeous deep blue. I knew a niger was 50/50 at being reef safe, but she is still a baby, so I never imagined this.

Needless to say - we caught her tonight and she is in prison until I find a buyer for her. Just a sad day for us. These fish are our pets, and we are completely attached. And we spend so much time and energy in making SO SURE that they are all healthy and safe and have a good life in our home.

That being said . . . since we have a chance to add more fish . . . probably in a couple months, are there different goby's you would suggest? What about a "show fish" or another larger fish that might be a good addition? Noah is excited to help mommy pick out new fish for the tank again (we thought our stock was full - not so much). Not in a rush.

Current List:
FoxFace
Sailfin
Powder Blue
Naso
Flamehawk
2 Clowns
Pintail Fairy Wrasse
Blue Star leopard wrasse (debating on adding 2 more so if she changes to male I will still have 2 female)
Diamond Goby
Bella Goby
Scooter Blenny (or dragonette)
Cardinal
McCosker Flasher Wrasse
Male Spotfin Anthia
2 Female Anthia

Have always wanted a pair of mandarins, but not sure I have the pod population to support them yet.

Biota mandarins eat TDO pellets, Im told they're raised on them. My male has no problem eating pellets and LRS fish eggs.

 

[nickkohrn]

I’m sorry that you had to see it happen and that you’ve lost fish. Nature can be a real downer sometimes, even after seeing how beautiful it can be.

 

[ZoWhat]

Unfortunately coral and fish death is smthg you should prob get use to.

In 15yrs I've lost most fish every 5yrs due to some event



.

 

[clipperking]

I have a 180 - total water volume of 240. Keep in mind that most of these are pretty small fish too.

Way to many fish you have to think of the adult size they will be. 3 gallon per 1" of fish

 

[Triggreef]

I have a 180 - total water volume of 240. Keep in mind that most of these are pretty small fish too.

Sounds like your about topped out on fish anyway. I would not suggest to add any. Could you? Sure. But you have some large heavy eaters in that mix that when they get large they will eat so much that it will be hard to get food to some of the other fish. You'll have to feed so much it will eventually bring up your po4 and cause issues to keep up with it.

 

[Mini Coop]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and advice! I appreciate it so very much!

 

[Tbell805]

I totally sympathize with you! I'm sorry about your recent losses. I lost one of my favorite fish a leopard wrasse about a week ago. I had him for 6 years. Sometimes the hobby sucks, but it's part of being a pet owner and later down the road you get to start over with a new fish. Try and keep your chin up it sounds like a great tank!

 

[Mini Coop]

I totally sympathize with you! I'm sorry about your recent losses. I lost one of my favorite fish a leopard wrasse about a week ago. I had him for 6 years. Sometimes the hobby sucks, but it's part of being a pet owner and later down the road you get to start over with a new fish. Try and keep your chin up it sounds like a great tank!

Thanks so much! My build thread is in my signature if you would like to follow!

I think I will not add any fish right now and really focus on getting my nitrates under control (see build thread for that post ) and building my reef of corals!

 

[amps]

That's really sad to hear. It sucks when something you love surprises you in such a negative way.

As to your other fish, I'd be concerned about the flame hawkfish. They're known to eat inverts and small fish as they grow up. Your other gobies and shrimp might be a meal soon.

 

[Mini Coop]

That's really sad to hear. It sucks when something you love surprises you in such a negative way.

As to your other fish, I'd be concerned about the flame hawkfish. They're known to eat inverts and small fish as they grow up. Your other gobies and shrimp might be a meal soon.

He actually has been a model citizen! I have had him for about 2.5 years. Hes pretty awesome.

 

[GrouperBait]

Biota mandarins eat TDO pellets, Im told they're raised on them. My male has no problem eating pellets and LRS fish eggs.

I had a pair of green mandarins in my 55g Petco tank was never a problem until my LTA went walking they started eating pellets after a few months of not trying anything specific.

 

[vetteguy53081]

We are in a hobby of trial and error and unfortunately these circumstances Do arise. On the same token, it also educates us as to compatability and future stocking. Nigers are impulse creatures of the hobby and will win many hearts but they have fangs for teeth and they do use them.
Nigers are beautiful and you will sell it easily as there are many with aggressive tanks who seek triggers.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I completely agree that this hobby can be both satisfying and brutal. Lots of ups and downs.

 

[d-man]

I’m going through velvet in my 960g DT. Lost 15 or so Fish currently. Caught 4 out, and only 4 still living that I can’t catch.
I QTd all fish going in greatly too

 

[Mini Coop]

I’m going through velvet in my 960g DT. Lost 15 or so Fish currently. Caught 4 out, and only 4 still living that I can’t catch.
I QTd all fish going in greatly too

Oh I am so sorry to hear this!! I have been there with ich! Thoughts are with you, my friend!

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Sucks to hear coop. I've been following our new build and know you loved that goby!