Large aquarium, small fish... a noob question.

FinnFan · 10-02-2007, 05:20 AM

While I was watching the rasboras swim last night, it occurred to me that if one of them died, I would probably have a heck of a time finding it in the bottom of the tank, with all the plants and decor in the way. Especially since they're so small, and they would really blend in with my multi-hued gravel. It's natural river-rock style pea gravel, and I'm afraid I would have a hard time finding one if it were on the bottom, not moving.

Is there a simple way to do this? Or do you all just spend a lot of time sifting through the bottom when you're vacuuming?

Edited because I'm apparently not awake enough yet to make coherent paragraphs :P

jones57742 · 10-02-2007, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinnFan

Is there a simple way to do this? Or do you all just spend a lot of time sifting through the bottom when you're vacuuming?

Not only that but also searching "every crack and crevice" in the tank (ie. took me an hour to find a 3" angel).

TR

Buggy · 10-02-2007, 06:55 AM

No easy way that I know of. If you're lucky the body will get sucked up to the filter intake tube and you will see it.

FinnFan · 10-02-2007, 06:59 AM

LOL... that's what I was afraid of. Oh well! I'll do a fish count each week to see if I still have everyone. If not, I'll go hunting. Whee

Thanks for the responses.

**Damon** · 10-02-2007, 09:09 AM

Its common and to be honest, many people never realize they lost a fish in a large school. The fish ends up being a snack for another inhabitant.

FinnFan · 10-02-2007, 10:04 AM

I was wondering about that, too Damon. Thanks for bringing it up. I know that many fish actually eat other fish, so I wondered if they'd make a meal on an unlucky comrade.

I guess I'll just watch them as best I can, as I build up the schools. Weekly fish counting is probably what I'll try to do. If I notice one missing and can't find the body, I'll assume it became a snack.

10-02-2007, 05:20 AM	#1
FinnFan Information junkie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 214	Large aquarium, small fish... a noob question. While I was watching the rasboras swim last night, it occurred to me that if one of them died, I would probably have a heck of a time finding it in the bottom of the tank, with all the plants and decor in the way. Especially since they're so small, and they would really blend in with my multi-hued gravel. It's natural river-rock style pea gravel, and I'm afraid I would have a hard time finding one if it were on the bottom, not moving. Is there a simple way to do this? Or do you all just spend a lot of time sifting through the bottom when you're vacuuming? Edited because I'm apparently not awake enough yet to make coherent paragraphs :P Last edited by FinnFan; 10-02-2007 at 07:01 AM.

10-02-2007, 06:55 AM	#3
Buggy Room Mother Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oklahoma Age: 42 Posts: 696	No easy way that I know of. If you're lucky the body will get sucked up to the filter intake tube and you will see it. __________________ Fish are people too! My animal family Dixie - Boxer/Lab Peanut -Chihuahua Cali - American Short-hair Cat B.B. - Parakeet Flower - Western Ornate Box Turtle Newly Aquired Cosmo - Rescue kitten Loki - White Ferret Odin - Brown Ferret Aquariums 55 gal tropical Fresh Water -14 various fish 29 gal tropical Fresh Water - 4 various cichlids 20 gal tropical Fresh Water - 5 skirt tetras, 8 zebra danios, 2 cherry barbs, 1 glass catfish, 1 rosey minnow, 1 corydora, 1 ghost shrimp.

10-02-2007, 09:09 AM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Its common and to be honest, many people never realize they lost a fish in a large school. The fish ends up being a snack for another inhabitant. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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10-02-2007, 06:59 AM	#4
FinnFan Information junkie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 214	LOL... that's what I was afraid of. Oh well! I'll do a fish count each week to see if I still have everyone. If not, I'll go hunting. Whee Thanks for the responses.

10-02-2007, 10:04 AM	#6
FinnFan Information junkie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 214	I was wondering about that, too Damon. Thanks for bringing it up. I know that many fish actually eat other fish, so I wondered if they'd make a meal on an unlucky comrade. I guess I'll just watch them as best I can, as I build up the schools. Weekly fish counting is probably what I'll try to do. If I notice one missing and can't find the body, I'll assume it became a snack.

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