Why does it always work like this?

[CarmieJo]

I think one of my chromis is dead. I saw all 3 this morning but all the rest of the day I didn't see him. And now he didn't come out to eat which has NEVER happened. I can't see him anywhere on the bottom or floating and with my foot I can't reach into the tank to move stuff around. My husband has a skin problem and can't put his hands in the tank. I don't see my clean up crew congregating anywhere. What do you think? :(

[gwen_o_lyn]

Sorry about your fish. Usually dead fish are rapidly consumed in the reef and you may never see it again.
Maybe it's just hiding?

[kj_yoda]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I have had 10 chromis a few months ago , and they were picked off one-by-one...Until there are 3. All seem happy

[CarmieJo]

Maybe, but all three have always came out for supper. These guys are like my son (who is away at college) and his friends, they don't miss meals! :rolleyes:

I'd rather think that he was eaten than stuck behind a rock somewhere raising the NH4. BTW, I did test it and it is still 0.

[kj_yoda]

If you have a good clean up crew, they will take care of it.

[CarmieJo]

Kevin,

That stinks. I had been told that 3 was the magic number but I guess not for me. Hope yours keep surviving for you!

[gwen_o_lyn]

Yeah it will be eaten by something, don't worry. You will never notice in a large system.

[CarmieJo]

I've got some scarlet hermits and a bunch of snails. If he is dead I guess they will all be well fed! My tank is 54 gal + 15 in the sump and I only have the chromis, a maroon clown and a fire fish.

[CarmieJo]

Kevin & Gwen, you have made me feel a lot better about this. I was stressing over it... :)

[gwen_o_lyn]

nah, no need to stress at all... it's perfectly normal to never see the body again. I have a few ghosts in my tank..... ;)

[kj_yoda]

Just smile :) Everything will turn out ok. I have lost fish as large as regal tangs in my tank without having any parameters increase.

[CarmieJo]

Well, this morning I found part of the body. But my water parameters haven't changed and everyone else looks fine :)