Maybe it has never happened to you, or maybe it has, and you have wondered what happened to that fish that was perhaps the one you liked the most or one of those that caught your attention because of its physique, but, overnight it has disappeared. What happened to him?
In this article, we're going to help you understand the most common reasons why fish disappear from an aquarium and what you can do when this happens. Sometimes, fish are simply hiding, but other times, there may be other unexpected factors at play. Let's break it all down!
Possible reasons why your fish has disappeared from the aquarium
1. The fish hides in the aquarium elements
One of the most common reasons is that Fish hide in toys or aquarium plants. Some species de peces, such as Plecos or Loach, enjoy seeking shelter, especially if they feel threatened or stressed. Logs, rocks and aquatic plants can offer perfect hiding places, some of them so good that you may miss your fish several times.
If you have checked the aquarium decorations and still can't find it, don't panic right away. There are fish that may hide due to changes in the environment or simply out of shyness. In this case, it is useful to observe the aquarium ecosystem:
- Have you added any new fish that could be stressing the current inhabitants?
- Have there been any changes in the water parameters?
- Are the aquarium decorations well distributed, offering both shelter and swimming space?
If everything is in order, it is best to wait for the fish to come out on its own.
2. Attacks from other fish
Unfortunately, a common cause of disappearance is that One of your fish has been attacked and eaten by othersThis is most common when incompatible species are mixed in the aquarium. For example, if you have larger fish with smaller ones that may look like tasty morsels, the fish may have been preyed upon without a trace.
It is important to research the behavior of your fish and know which ones can coexist peacefully with each other. Insufficient feeding can also be a trigger for larger fish to attack weaker or smaller ones, especially at night when predatory activity increases. Make sure to provide an adequate amount of food to prevent aggressive behavior.
3. The fish has been sucked into the filter or heater
Another possibility that is often overlooked is that the fish has entered the heater compartment or filter pumpIn some aquariums, there are small gaps between the pump/heater compartment and the rest of the aquarium where smaller fish can sneak in without you noticing.
These spaces are especially attractive to juvenile or small fish, who may seek shelter there to feel safe. Sometimes, it can be difficult to remove the fish from these places without emptying the tank. If this happens, and you notice that a fish persists in hiding there, it may mean that it is under a lot of stress or that it feels uncomfortable around its tank mates.
The solution is to reduce or eliminate these gaps to prevent fish from venturing into dangerous places. It is also important to ensure that the power of the pump is not too high, which can result in smaller fish being sucked into the filter area.
4. The fish has jumped out of the aquarium
In some cases, a fish can having jumped out of the aquarium and you won't have noticed it right away. This usually happens if there are open spaces in the lid of the aquarium. It's especially common in fish like Bettas or Cichlids, which are known jumpers.
If you suspect your fish has jumped, check around the aquarium carefully, especially behind the cabinet it is placed in. Jumping fish can do so with surprising accuracy, often through small openings in the aquarium lid or even the automatic feeding system.
To prevent this from happening, make sure your aquarium has a proper, well-sealed lid. Even if you have fish that aren't normally jumpers, it's better to be safe than sorry.
5. Illness and death
Another cause of disappearance is the illnessA sick or dying fish may retreat to a dark corner of the aquarium to die, and in some cases, other fish or snails may feed on its body before you notice.
Aquariums containing snails can see rapid decomposition of a deceased fish, sometimes within hours, especially if the fish is small. Snails, such as Nerite snails, feed on dead matter. Additionally, some scavenging fish within aquariums can also contribute to the body's demise.
If you suspect a fish has died, it is crucial to measure ammonia and nitrite levels to avoid spikes that could harm the rest of the aquarium's inhabitants due to decomposition.
How to avoid these problems in the future?
The best way to prevent your fish from disappearing from your aquarium is through prevention and active monitoring:
- Monitor interactions between fish. Make sure all fish are compatible and there are no signs of harassment.
- Check for hidden spaces. Make sure there are no dangerous places in your aquarium where fish can get trapped or sucked in.
- Control water parametersStress weakens fish and increases the likelihood that they will seek shelter rather than swim freely.
- Use a suitable lid to prevent unexpected jumps. This is especially important if you have species known to be active.
What to do if you find your fish in critical condition
If you have managed to find your fish after a long disappearance and it seems to be in bad shape, you can try the following to get it back:
- Separation: If you have a quarantine tank, it is preferable to move the fish so that it can recover without the stress of other fish.
- Diet enrichment: Provide nutrient-rich foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms, which are great for strengthening weak fish.
- regular monitoring:To ensure a successful recovery, keep a close eye on its behavior and make sure that when it is reintroduced, it is not harassed by other fish.
Recovering a fish that has been missing and weakened depends largely on its general health before the disappearance and how quickly it is treated.
In any case, the disappearance of a fish can be alarming, but with a little patience and following these tips, you can prevent it from happening in the future.