Someones killing my Rummy noses!

HI everybody,

I came home from work today went to feed the fishes, and noticed my 4 rummy noses weren't pacing around.

Went searching and found them scattered around the floor of my aquarium.
Now the only thing I can think of is someone is killing them. My tanks parameters are perfect and I've been keeping it ultimatly clean. I haven't recently added anymore fish and ive had the rummy noses in for around a month.
The suspects include;
Black Ghost Knife
Ruby Shark
Gold Ram
Blue Ram
PakistanI Loach
Clown Loach


Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

There are other fish in the tank but are all way too relaxed to do something like ths

 

Good morning,

Ruby Sharks aka Rainbow Sharks can be aggressive, especially as they mature and have adapted to their environment. Surely 1 to consider.

Are you readings where they need to be with 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites and under 20 nitrates?

Best wishes for your fish and hold on for more responses.

Ken

 

Readings are as you stated. All 4 of them to pass, within hours is obscure.
The rest of my fish are great.

 

Thanks. I haven't kept all of the species that you have listed so let's get more responses.

Ken

 

Does this tank have a lid?

Any holes that they could jump out from?

Rummy Nose can get scared quite easily, and take off like a rocket. It's possible they got spooked and jumped out?

 

The tanks all lided. No chances of jumping.

To add, all the fish were missing eyes.... :-(

 

Ohhh, I think I get it. The fish were lying dead on the bottom of the aquarium (ie. on the gravel), not on the floor around the aquarium


I would definitely put the sharks high on the list, the sharks don't do well in small aquariums (under 125G) and they can be hostile toward smaller tank mates.

In fact, if I'm completely honest, the tank is massively overstocked, and is more than likely the root cause of the issue. When fish don't have enough space, even the peaceful will fight for territory, which can result in fatalities.

Off-topic: And I think you should re-consider your 20G stocking as well, cichlids typically don't do well in a 20G, some need a 55G minimum, others a 75G.

 

Ah I need to update that. Re-read in a minute.

Edit; Updated.

 

Size: 4FT 60Gal Community Tank Fish, Plants, Inverts: 2 Dwarf Gourami, 2 Bala Sharks, 2 Mollies, 2 Swordtails, 2 Blue Rams, 1 Gold Ram, 1 Bandit Cory, 1 Black Ghost Knife, 1 Flying Fox, 1 Clown Loach, 1 PakistanI Loach.

I agree that your tank is overstocked. In fact, massively so. It is also poorly stocked, as far as compatibility goes.

Rummies are very sensitive fish and need to be kept with calm and peaceful tankmates. They also require a large school to ease their timidity.

As mentioned, your balas require a much larger tank.

Corys need to be kept in groups of at least 3, 5 is better, more is better yet.

The clown loach needs to be kept in groups and requires a much larger tank.

Did you research any of these species prior to stocking?

The BGK needs a much larger tank.

 

I reseached everything entitely for months before, I didnt ask about my "poor" stocking either.

 

I didnt ask about my "poor" stocking either.

Well, yeah you did. When a fish is killing other fish in the tank, it's a stocking issue....

 

My money is on the shark... I'm not saying your stocking is poor, but I have always heard to never stock fish with sharks that are small enough to fit in their mouths. I don't know what your case is, but it is possible that little sharky thought the tetras were nice snacks

 

Well, yeah you did. When a fish is killing other fish in the tank, it's a stocking issue....

Compatability.

Thankyou anyway, though my sharks are same size as my rummy noses though. BGK is probbly 2.5 inch head to tail, could he be the culprite?

 

Compatibility is a component of stocking.

 

Other way around. Either way these fish have been together for months

 

HI DNA,
Typically the fish we get at the shop are juvenilles, and as they grow, their temperament can change. It is not uncommon for seemingly happy tank-mates to turn as they grow.

By and large, fish will establish territories and will vigourously defend them. Sometimes the defensive instincts won't show until the juvenille fish grows.

In smaller tanks and/or over-stocked tanks, even though species may be reported as compatible, it is likely that one fishes territory is 'trespassed' by another fish. What happens next is up to nature.

 

Other way around. Either way these fish have been together for months

No, it's really not the other way around. Months is a very short period of time - too short to determine long term success, especially when the fish are as small as they are.

 

Yes really it is. Months is plenty of time, though ryanr's explanation cerainly seems plausible. I won't be adding any rummy noses again, ill move on my loaches and cory and will that be brining my stocking levels down?

 

Fishlore Rule 1 - Discussion and debating is encouraged but rudeness, insulting posts, inflammatory posts or personal attacks will not be tolerated. Above all, be respectful of your fellow members.

We have differing views on how much time is enough time. Let's leave it at that please.

EDIT:

I won't be adding any rummy noses again, ill move on my loaches and cory and will that be brining my stocking levels down?

It will bring stocking levels down. I would personally be looking at the mix of species though. Loaches and cory's IMO should be ok, in there, but Sharks with Rams, Swordtails, I think that's where the aggression could come from

 

Doesnt help when I'm looking for advice not critism. Please close thread.

 

I'm sorry if I've upset you in anyway, it's certainly not the intention.

I myself am not great on stocking/compatibility, but I do know that some species can be trouble.

My advice is to look at the mix of species you have and possibly remove some of the more territorial/aggressive ones.


PS - and as a moderator, sometimes I have to interject and remind all members of the rules. The reminder is directed at the community, not an individual.

 

I'm sorry if I've upset you in anyway, it's certainly not the intention.

I myself am not great on stocking/compatibility, but I do know that some species can be trouble.

My advice is to look at the mix of species you have and possibly remove some of the more territorial/aggressive ones.


PS - and as a moderator, sometimes I have to interject and remind all members of the rules. The reminder is directed at the community, not an individual.

No no no, thankyou, youve certainly been helpful.

Back on track, with my fish to re-stock and re-home which fish aren't suited to my stocking, which fish are ok, and who should I re home?

Ryan should I make a new thread in the stocking questions if that's more suited?

 

You can start a new thread for stocking/re-homing, just be sure to give as much info as you can, and if you have a preference, be sure to indicate what you want to do

 

Size: 4FT 60Gal Community Tank Fish, Plants, Inverts: 2 Dwarf Gourami, 2 Bala Sharks, 2 Mollies, 2 Swordtails, 2 Blue Rams, 1 Gold Ram, 1 Bandit Cory, 1 Black Ghost Knife, 1 Flying Fox, 1 Clown Loach, 1 PakistanI Loach.

Rummies are very sensitive fish and need to be kept with calm and peaceful tankmates. They also require a large school to ease their timidity.

As mentioned, your balas require a much larger tank.

Corys need to be kept in groups of at least 3, 5 is better, more is better yet.

The clown loach needs to be kept in groups and requires a much larger tank.

The BGK needs a much larger tank.

I stand by my previous post with regard to stocking the tank.

If you tell us which fish you really love, maybe not even a species you already have, I'm sure the members here would be more than happy to help you develop a healthy stocking plan. The more thought process put into stocking, the less overall issues you have with the tank.