Who dunnit murder mystery... with my little fish tank.

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Hi all,

I have a bit of a murder mystery in my tank which I find quite
intriguing. Here are the varieties that I have...

1 Pleco
1 Lamp Eye Tetra
4 Zebra Danio

However I used to have 2 Lamp Eye Tetras and 5 Zebra Danios. One of
each has vanished from the tank with absolutely no remains.

I just recently introduced the Zebras to the tank when one of the
Tetras went missing. So I thought maybe the Zebras went ganged up on
the Tetra. But now that there is a Zebra missing I am beginning to
suspect the Pleco, which I always thought was vegetarian?

I thought I would post and see what other people think. It makes for a
more exciting fish tank. I feel like I am witnessing the circle of
life. :)

Later,
Jammy

[Billy]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a bit of a murder mystery in my tank which I find quite
> intriguing. Here are the varieties that I have...
>
> 1 Pleco
> 1 Lamp Eye Tetra
> 4 Zebra Danio
>
> However I used to have 2 Lamp Eye Tetras and 5 Zebra Danios. One
> of
> each has vanished from the tank with absolutely no remains.
>
> I just recently introduced the Zebras to the tank when one of the
> Tetras went missing. So I thought maybe the Zebras went ganged up
> on
> the Tetra. But now that there is a Zebra missing I am beginning to
> suspect the Pleco, which I always thought was vegetarian?
>
> I thought I would post and see what other people think. It makes
> for a
> more exciting fish tank. I feel like I am witnessing the circle of
> life. :)


Some information about the tank, it's equipment, and water parameters
would help. At this point, only guesses could be made. All your fish
are rather docile, so murder is unlikely, the issue is environmental.

billy

[Jammy]

Hi Billy,

I have a 6 gallon fresh water tank at about 78 degrees. It is an
Elipse tank. It uses a charcoal filter and a bio-wheel. Other than
that, some gravel, some little plants, and a fake hollow tree.

What is bizarre is that there are no remains at all... at least remains
large enough for me to notice when I feed them or clean the tank. I
have had a one fish die before but none of the other fish would touch
it. They just left little fish body alone.

Is there anyting else about the tank you would like to know?

-Jammy

[Billy]

"Jammy" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hi Billy,
>
> I have a 6 gallon fresh water tank at about 78 degrees. It is an
> Elipse tank. It uses a charcoal filter and a bio-wheel. Other
> than
> that, some gravel, some little plants, and a fake hollow tree.
>
> What is bizarre is that there are no remains at all... at least
> remains
> large enough for me to notice when I feed them or clean the tank.
> I
> have had a one fish die before but none of the other fish would
> touch
> it. They just left little fish body alone.
>
> Is there anyting else about the tank you would like to know?
>

Water parameters would be helpful, but probably not needed at this
point. The possibility that the fish jumped is a likely one. The tank
is very close to being overstocked, and fish can get stir-crazy from
feeling cramped and just jump for it. Fish that small would be hard
to spot once dry (couple hours) on all but the lightest coloured
carpet. As for the pleco, they're not solely vegans. I have seen many
common plecos snacking on meat-based foods, as well as corpses of
other critters.
With that number of fish, I'd recommend a larger tank. The rule
of thumb (just a guideline, mind you) is 'one inch of fish per
gallon' . Even assuming the pleco is still a baby, you're right about
there, maybe over, and Plecos get up to 13 inches or more, meaning if
you keep him, you'll eventually need a 55 gallon or larger.

billy

[Jammy]

Thanks Billy. I'll keep that rule of thumb in mind.

-Jammy