Disappearing Serpae??

[ct-death]

I had 2 Serpaes (1 standard red var., the other is a red long-fin) for about 4 months now and the last addition to my tank was about a month back (3 guppies).

I have an Eclipse II (30G Tank):
3 Guppies
1(2) Serpae
2 Dwarf Neon Gouramis
1 Albino Cory
1 Oto
1 Molly
2 Black High-Fin Tetras

Yesterday I fed them before leaving for work, and warched them for a while. The reason I am 100% certain that both Serpaes were present was b/c the guppies actually harass the Serpaes during feeding. I find it a nice twist since before the guppies it was the serpaes harrassing the high-fins

Also, as a note, all of my fish are adults (or adult size) with the exception of the Oto and Cory. My Gouramis are the same size or slightly larger than my High-Fins (~2.5" to 2 3/4")

Anyways, I felt like dog-pooh and I went home early (11am). I came home, flicked on the aquarium lights and instantly noticed the long-fin Serpae gone! Well, as it was past my monthly cleaning for the tank I decided to do the cleaning and see if I could find him... So, between trips to the restroom, I did a 50% WC, cleaned the glass, vacumed, and replaced the filter and relocated the decorations and the fake plants looking for the little guy. I also lifted the bio-wheel looking for him.

Now before anyone suggests a fish jump to his death, the Eclipse is an enclosed cover, but it does have a small 3/4"(h)X2"(w) opening (I measured) a tad more than 2" above the water line, and the whole itself is conjested with wires/hoses. Secondly, I have my tank within a built in wall hutch which also has a 1 5/8" lip at the end. I have full access to all sides of the tank and did a complete search. I do not have anything else in the hutch and I have hardwood floors with no rugs in this room (the tank/hutch is on the far corner of a 17' room).

Also, I have no cat, dog, ferret iguania or anything else for that matter that can pick up a quick snack.

Lastly, I lost an albino Cory about 2-3 weeks ago and found him dead on his side. He was untouced.

Now, I fed them at 6:30am before work, and by 11am he was gone - ZERO remains! So is anyone really going to tell me that in 4 1/2 hours my other fish feasted on this guy, guts, skeleton and all???

Okay I already know the standard line of thought, and that this topic has been talked over, and over, and over, but please humor me...

Thanks guys:huh:

 

[jennysam]

I have had exactly the same thing happen to me on a number of occasions.

I'm not familiar with a Serpae, how big are they?

I find that when my small fish die they end up inside the filter but my three spot gourami died and disappeared without a trace and so did my cat fish a few years ago.

I would be very interested in this thread and what other people think may have happened. My tank is also covered with no possible escape for a fish jumping to its death

 

[nickmcmechan]

I'm really not that familiar with Serpae, but can I ask, would it bury itself under the Gravel and perhaps you just missed it with the Vacuuming?

 

[ct-death]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpae_tetra

He was 2", which would be the max, and he was a fatty - Voracious eaters!

They tend to stay in the mid-to-lower part of th tank. They sleep pointing downward at about a 45 degree angle, but no digging.

 

[labowner]

I have serpaes and have never seen them bury themselves under anything, these guys are OUT IN THE OPEN..this is amazing it disappeared in that short a time. You sure it didn't die and get tangled up dead in a plant anywhere that you're missing?

 

[angelfishlover]

maybe it jumped to death if near the window,behind the tank or it splashed out of the house

 

[ct-death]

I actually relocated or moved every decoration and plant in the tank. I even flipped over the 'hollow' rocks to make sure. Nothing...

I also lifted off the lid to make sure they didn't get stuck in there either.

<<--Very confused