Where Do They Go?

[fish addict]

I have a problem with fish going MIA. I have a 30g with 3 damsels and 2 missing fish. I have not seen my 6 line wrasse in at least three weeks. I recently added a longnose hawkfish that I also haven't seen in 2 days.

The tank has a lot of live rock caves and hiding spaces, but I'm getting the feeling that they aren't hiding.

Might they be hiding, eaten by the damsels, or dead and stuck in the live rock? I look on the floor and all around the aquarium, but I have a tight fitting top and don't think they could escape.

Should I actively look for them or just consider them lost if they don't appear soon? Has anyone had a fish disappear for this long or are they done for?

 

[FloridaBoy]

Hard to say really. Whenever there is a lot of LR, you have to consider the possibility of a mantis shrimp.

 

[fish addict]

I think that you are right. I might have a mantis shrimp lurking in the dark in my aquarium.

I hadn't really looked into mantis shrimp until you mentioned that it could be the culprit. These guys are definetley not what I want around my poor little fish. I'm going to get a red lens for a flashlight and try to scope out the night life in my tank. Maybe I'll get a look at what's going on in there.