All these replies are making me feel better! I'm hoping he's still in there.
But what's worrying me is that it was never TOO difficult for me to count all 9 in the past. Until last week, all of a sudden I could only count 8.
The one that's missing is from my newest batch. He was in QT last month, and he's only been in the main tank for a few weeks. I know they are notoriously delicate, especially in the first month so, so it's possible he died. And if he died, then I'm sure my barbs took care of the body.
What's really bugging me is the possibility that the barbs KILLED him :eek3:
They killed a juvenile platy once, but it was pretty small.
The only time they compete for food with the otos is when I put zucchini in the tank. I have this nightmare vision of the little oto minding his own business, chilling on the zucchini, and then a barb comes up and bites his head off. :help:
Do you guys think the barbs would do that? I can deal with the idea that he died of natural (and hopefully non-contagious) causes--but I can't deal with the idea that he was healthy and then murdered!!