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I have a 75 gallon tank with 4 4-6 inch african chiclids, 2 babys, 2 blue rams, and a chinesse alegeater. Every once in a while a fish will dissapper for a day may be two, but I have not seen one of my larger chiclids in like a week . He is one of the more agressive ones so I don't think he is hiding out from the other fish, when should I start to really worry, and/or tear the tank appart (don't really want to)

p.s. I have fake drift wood in wich the fish can hide in, they swim inside of it, like the inside inside)
thanks

Is it possible that the fish is hiding for a reason? Often pecking orders change in a group. Perhaps another fish has become dominnat... or the dominant fish was female and may have spawned... or it is dead inside your driftwood.

A good indicator of the worst possible outcome is your tank parameters. A climb in ammonia, nitrites or nitrates would make me suspicious of fish foul play! In any case, I would do daily water tests and boost my water changes in both quantity and frequency until I knew what happened to the fish.



__________
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Gently move your decor around to find the missing fish. If the fish is hiding there is most likely a reason for it. It could be sick and in need of treatment, or as Bob has said the dominant position may of been taken by another fish.
If it is dead then you need to remove the remains asap or you will have water quality issues as the body rots.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

How big is your Chinese Algae Eater? I have heard that they can get really agressive as they get older.

It's probably hiding real good. I have an African Brown Knife that I see maybe every 2-3 months. I know where it's hidy spot is and every time I start wondering about its whereabouts and whether it's still with me, it pops out for 30 seconds or so.

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I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

i have moved the drift wood pieces around but did not see the missing fish. I will give him a few more days, if it is dead inside a piece of drift wood I'm not really sure if I could get it out.
Has anyone else noticed how these big fish can squezze into such small spaces/holes

have you checked around the tank to see if he/she had jumped out? I know that probably didnt happen but its possible.
and yes i do notice how fish will get into tiny holes like that my purple parrot does it all the time.

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pnh

If it's dead inside the Driftwood, try to get it out as soon as possible, so you don't foul the water. Try moving the Driftwood to see if it's in it.



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oz196,

Sounds a little fishy

How can a 6 inch fish (how is not shy by nature) simply dissapear for over a week? I guess you checked the area around the tank. Do you have house animals that would eat an escaped fish?

I also think you should try to check in the tanks ASAP, if it is dead then the water quality would fall rapidly.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

the missing fish still has not appeared, I checked around the tank before I posted this thread and did not find any remains, so I don't belive it jumped out, the tank is well covered. My water quality is still good. If I don't see it tonight, I will take my tank apart either tommorow or the next day. I have moved the fake driftwood around just to make sure the holes were not covered up by the gravel. I hope he turns up soon, he is dark blue and purple with a few black stripes.

Sorry, I have not seen him!

The end of your post was like a lost kitten sign, couldn't resist.

If you have a HOB filter, be sure to check there, behind the heater is a place many fish will hide when ill, they also disintegrate fairly quickly, as it has been a week there may be no remains left. My brother had a pleco go into a fake drift wood and pass away, all he found were bits of skull. If you have a cat or dog, they would make sure to remove any evidence of the fish 'escaping' the tank as well.

Hope you find him soon!

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

i have a canister filter, he is not behind the heater or the intake/output.

i found him, please read Amazing Story