Be Careful who you let into your place / see your tank

[ryanmoorman]

For as many honest and good people there are in this world, unfortunately not everyone you let into your place falls under that category. This last Tuesday a mystery arose and left me baffled searching for any plausible explanation. . . As crazy it may sound

This past Tuesday afternoon two of my prized fish and several cleaner and fire shrimp disappeared as well as the life of a long lived coral beauty. A person was planning on coming over to buy a large extra skimmer I had on an old tank. Randomly they canceled meeting me roughly 10min before I was gonna head that way. The evening came after a long day or work and fed my tank as usual. Nothing at the time stuck out cause my powder blue and 1 of the 2 sail fins left everything appearing normal to the casual eye . The next morning came (midnight for them) and went to feed my phyto. I noticed quickly both my friendly cleaners were no where to be found. Now having a strange sick feeling in my stomach I searched for possible explanations. Stuck under rocks , eaten , caught in over flow , sump /filter sock , jumped out back all very feasible . Leaving my tank now for work I thought and thought of what could have happened. That evening I went home with 1 focus and it was to find my (lg mystery wrasse , ex lg sail fin , coral beauty , 2 cleaners and a fire) . These fish were all very compatiable and been togather for well over a year. Ruling out possibilities,I found the coral beauty in the back far corner dead which demanded some explinations. I moved around rocks searching for any clue which could explain their disappearance only crush several coral and find absolutely nothing out of ordinary .

Friday came along and I now have accepted they are gone , hopping they were in a better place but knowing they weren't . My parameters were great , no sign or any decay or fish/shrimp remains corals looked happy and as if nothing ever happened. That's when it set in. SOMEONE STOLE MY FISH!!!!!


Never the less, I just wanted to share this and help raise awareness that unfortunately not every hobbiest carries the same morals. Be careful who you let in your homes .

As violated or hurt as I may be I am still very thankful to have a reef one with many happy healthy corals and fish(the few remaining).

[CoryDude]

Those are some really nice fish you lost there. Sorry to hear about.

But, did you see any signs of forced entry (broken/open window or door)? Just wondering because you found one of the missing fish dead. Cleanup crews can make quick work of dead fish.

[allan]

How did they get in? Anything else missing? If they had free run of your home...

[ryanmoorman]

Yeah I forgot to address the fact I kept my door unlocked and had a key under mat if locked for convenience. So yes I am the foolish one , my negligence doesnt evade the fact who ever came into my place did so uninvited and left with stuff that was not theirs . This is just a lesson learned . My ammonia is 0 , nitrite 0 , phos 0 cal 460 nitrate .02 so everything is great . I look at my tank more than my TV I would have found something or some sign of a exlg 7" sail fin , 4in mystery and several shrimp which were all very friendly and to all disappear over the course of the same day as that guy canceled on me .

[350gt]

wth? fish and not electronics?

thats why I try not to deal on CL

[KING]

i would hate to think that some 1 would go in an do something like that..i dont know about ur fish or how eazy they r to get..but i had to take down my hole tank to get mine out..an that was just 1..im talking 2hrs,,water every were an the water didnt clear up for the hole day...any thing missing other then that>? not to sound missed up but i could have used these guys when i need a fish out..lol but real talk..sorry to hear about this..hop u find them..or the guys

[profntbtr]

man, that's kinda **** dastardly. Did they get away with anything else? Seems kinda implausible that someone would go to those lengths for some livestock, especially fish, which require some chase.

[ryanmoorman]

The reason they didn't take everything I am assuming was cause it took me 3 days to realize, nothing was obvious considering my smaller sail fin was there and the mystery doesn't always come out for meals .

1st sign was the shrimp missing . They would have been obvious walking out with a bunch of stuff . Walking out with a couple bags of water with fish/corals is on the reg for the people that live around me and wouldn't stand out

[Europhyllia]

I need that guy's number. It took me almost a whole DAY top get a fish out of my 125.

[350gt]

was the sand kicked up? rocks tossed around?

[Monica25]

I'm sooo sorry to hear this Ryan. I was just there a week ago buying the heater and powerhead. I'm very upset that this happened to you. Beautiful fish and tank. I hope u get to the bottom of this and find your fish.

[Monica25]

For the record it wasn't me. Biocube can't hold not one of his fish. Your coral beauty was so beautiful :what_smile:

[reefreak]

Not trying to point fingers but someone has the same exact fish forsale on here

[Monica25]

I know it's weird

[reefreak]

I know it's weird
yeah it is suspescious.

[KING]

if u have ever meet jt..u would no right off the back that he would never do anything like this..ya its weird..but the guy is str8 up..i dont think there ur

[Teeb]

Wow, really strange. I just can't see someone breaking in to steal fish and not touch any corals or equipment, TV's, jewelry etc. While they are nice fish, they're probably not worth more than $200. I just can't see it.

It's very strange JT has the same fish up for sale, but he's a stand up guy. There's some posts in his thread almost calling him out, which really isn't cool.

[Gseclipse02]

Wow, really strange. I just can't see someone breaking in to steal fish and not touch any corals or equipment, TV's, jewelry etc. While they are nice fish, they're probably not worth more than $200. I just can't see it.

+ 1

[Europhyllia]

We're kidding of course. I am sure JT has better things to do than go to people's houses to steal fish. lol

Ryan, I am sorry you lost some fish (by however means). That always sucks!

[350gt]

Not trying to point fingers but someone has the same exact fish forsale on here


You just did..... and he also is selling a coral beauty, which ryan stated he was dead in a corner....

[reefreak]

Thanks 350 didn't catch that while reading

[Troy Valentine]

Is it possible you have a rock crab that might have hitchhiked into your system? I've seen large crabs go completely undetected in systems during the day only to reek havok at night. I have helped many MAAST members remove these from their systems. Just a thought....

http://reefrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/Stone_crabs_in_cooler.jpg

[randomfish]

sorry for your loss and that is just messed up

[Teeb]

Never thought of that. I did have my frag tank running for over a year with a small amount of rock in it. Never saw any signs of a crab, however when I dried out the rock, I found one about the size of a half dollar and 2 smaller ones.

[Big_Pun]

hmm what a fishy story this is.... I'm sad I lost 10 min on it!!

[LuckySingh]

??? Strange!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rrasco]

IDK, I don't see that happening. Not without some kind of evidence that anyone was there. No water on the floor, no rocks/sand stirred up, just missing fish and shrimp? I would think there would be water on the floor, tank open, missing equipment, etc. To be honest, and theoretical for a minute, IF I was going to do something like this I'd probably run off with all your equipment, not to mention the sailfin you said is still there, assuming I was taking fish too. And I wouldn't care about any water I might have spilled. You would think equipment would be the big priority, and/or corals. Not fish. Also, I'm with everyone here, takes forever to catch fish in my own tank, much less clean out someone else's tank in that amount of time.

[jonelletx]

I can't even catch one butterfly fish with help from Brad. This butterfly fish is small but I didn't know when I purchased it that it picked on corals. I am a newby and learning from my mistakes. Sorry about what happened to you.

[alton]

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?47607-Large-Ugly-Crab

[reefreak]

Did all the fish and shrimp go missing at once?

[Mr Cob]

something seems "fishy" here.... lol

[ryanmoorman]

Ok so certainly understand any and all of your doubts . It took me 3 days to conjure up and accept that they are gone meaning left the tank. My reasoning behind him taking only a couple was for the delayed reaction time. If he was to have taken one of my corals I would have known within hours. It was established that I live a mile from work. This guy knew it when my lunch was so I'm assuming he was there around 11 am knowing we wouldn't be meeting there till 12 . At like 11:45ish he canceled and haven't heard since. My lights are off till noonish so all the fish would be sleeping and hungry considering I only feed 1x a day. I also had a acrylic trap within 5 ft of tank. My nets were out but it was possible I touched em even though I don't see any reason to over past month. It's possible it was a friend of one of the Maintence guys at my apt. I have ****ed a couple of them off over the past 2 years from a leaking tank and the tank is known over the whole staff .

I have continued to test my water and there have been no spikes and happier than ever which I sure do not think would be the case if I had a 6-7in sailfin, 4in mystery and 3 very large shrimp decaying . I have 2 mp40 which I think would move everything around enough for me to find some sign of death. Nothing has been caught in filter sock either . I don't think the rock crab took em all out over night but I do appreciate the suggestions.

I don't appreciate the funny guy that made the little joke with all the fish in a bucket for sale. There is something wrong when one finds humor in others misfortunes. I received several calls and emails from masst members tryinging to inform me of that odd listing. With as much as I love this site instances like this make it disheartening to fully utilize the it. Never the less, these are few and far between all the great people I have had the pleasure of meeting, trading, and hanging out with.


The tank had:
lg powder blue
1 Lg sail fin
1 sm sailfin
1 lg mystery wrasse
1 coral beauty
1 lg female clarkii
2 damsel
2 very friendly cleaners
2 fire shrimp
1 yellow watchman
1 Engineer



In there today:
Powder blue
Sm sailfin
Clarkii clown
Damsels
Fire shrimp
Coral bandit

[Monica25]

Sorry Ryan again for your loss. I agree 100% that no matter what it's not cool to have fun with people's misfortunes. It's kind of sad to see this when your a new person to the sight. I hope this place continues to be a good support group. Now I'm gonna go to bed and hope for the best. Night all!

[alton]

I think most of are still in shock or disbelief something like this would actually happen. But in todays world I guess nothing is impossible anymore.

[Big_Pun]

I really think you should be looking for some kind of predator. also if you have a stable tank and good clean crew you will not notice if a fish dies. I've never had a fish die in an easy to remove spot, luckily my tank sits by a window with a unpainted back. I had a descent size angel that was dead in back and I couldn't reach it. in 48 hours it's was consumed.

[fishypets]

Does this tank have live rock? If so there is no way all those fish were neted unless the tank was drained and refilled. They either jumped and your cat made a quick meal or something in the tank ate them.

[KING]

fishypets...its best that we let him think some 1 came in his house an took them..
an i hope this dont scare any one..iv been invited 2 a lot of peoples houses an have told a lot of people to come over..this is a good way to meet good friends an great people..

[Mr Cob]

sorry you lost fish Ryan no matter what the reason was. I'm just skeptical in so quickly pointing fingers that someone took your fish and shrimp. Like many in this club, I've been keeping salt tanks for awhile and have never seen fish caught easily in a full reef system especially if the lights were out and then turned on. You might get lucky on one but multiple fish in the same catch and shrimp...that's a tough one. If there was some actual proof such as obvious signs of a break-in, moved rocks and corals then that would be a different story.

To add advice... I would consider other possibilities for the missing fish. Such as a mantis...or some type of predator.

I don't know, it stinks no matter what the cause. I hope you can find the source soon. I think it stinks even more not knowing for sure what happened.

[350gt]

I have ****ed a couple of them off over the past 2 years from a leaking tank and the tank is known over the whole staff .




Why not instead say "dont do around ****ing ppl over", instead of "becareful who you let in your house".

Cause the few ppl I have met on this site, I doubt could ever do such a thing......

And ****ing ppl over for over 2 years, will have its repercussion in one way or the other.......

[Monica25]

Have u ever had a shrimp with black spots?

[350gt]

Have u ever had a shrimp with black spots?

wrong thread...

[Monica25]

I know

[Monica25]

And I wouldn't try and steal someone thread ever but it doesn't seem like Ryan's missing fish are the focus anymore. I'm sorry but why was the thread brought back? To help or to pick?

[Monica25]

I love this site.. So many smart helpful people but keep it positive.

[350gt]

To help.... Fishy pets was offering some advice and curious like the rest of us.

I completely forgot a out this thread and when I read his comment about ****ing ppl over, I can't believe nobody caught that..... And IMO that is not someone I would to ever want to do business with and I doubt anyone would.....

[tebstan]

The OP said:

It's possible it was a friend of one of the Maintence guys at my apt. I have ****ed a couple of them off over the past 2 years from a leaking tank and the tank is known over the whole staff .


Don't take the quote out of context. It doesn't sound like he went around scamming people. My own family has been pretty upset with me over leaks, but I doubt they would jump to your conclusion :

. . . that is not someone I would to ever want to do business with and I doubt anyone would.....

Many comments on this thread have been speculative but with helpful intent. However, there have been petty responses, on this thread and another. It reflects poorly on all of MAAST.

[KING]

then y start the thread to begin with..if u no more less who an y it may have happen..come on ..ever 1 knows there is no way some one can just come in an take fish out of a reef tank..be real..but in steed he posted this thread making it seem like we all have to look out for some one..the only ones in this hobby that we have to look out for is them who try an get things real cheep from other an re sale hi...

[Mr Cob]

it kind of seems that this thread should just be closed... for one it's in "General Reefkeeping Discussion" section and it should be in the "Lounge" and secondly, it's not doing anyone any good, just a lot of back and forth all on speculation by all of us and the OP.

If Ryan wants some help for trying to track down a predator he should post a new thread with that intent stated.

The title of this thread states a different intent.

[Scream311]

why hasnt this thread been locked MODS ????

its Rubbish, I dont see how this thread that has not DIED yet. It isnt in any way Beneficial to any Maast Member.

ive wanted to ADD my 2 Cents to this Comical STORY but have chosen to take the Higher Road. but every time i see someone adding to it instead of passing it up im encouraged to wanna join in on the Band Wagon.

I SAY LOCK IT, Like youve Done to Other Threads

[350gt]

The OP said:


Don't take the quote out of context. It doesn't sound like he went around scamming people. My own family has been pretty upset with me over leaks, but I doubt they would jump to your conclusion :


Many comments on this thread have been speculative but with helpful intent. However, there have been petty responses, on this thread and another. It reflects poorly on all of MAAST.



Im sorry but to me ****ing someone over in anyway shape or form, and knowingly doing it for over 2 years...... It's just that..... ****ing someone over.....






Im done

[tebstan]

I believe the difference of opinion comes from the possibility that we are thinking of two different words, due to the asterisks. There is a difference between making people upset, and screwing them over.

The OP had something happen that hurt him, and his tank. He came to his friends at the local club to vent. He did not name names or point fingers. I was skeptical, too. I can understand why some people are in the “why even post” camp. However, I still sympathize with his loss.

I agree with Mr Cob that the intent of this thread is obscure. Whether the thread can be locked or removed is up to the mods. I don’t see any rules being broken, unless the repeated use of inappropriate language on a family friendly site counts?

[profntbtr]

ryan just came in and said, "hey, watch yourself, some people are shady," which is undoubtedly true. his story is fantastical, but so what, he came here to say be careful, and we are quick to call him a liar or accuse him of dishonesty. Ryan came here to issue a warning, and we are so worried about how his fish disappeared that we aren't listening to his quite valid message. truth is it is always risky to let people into your home, be they the cable guy, your friends roommate, some person from craigslist or the maintenance guy. i cannot count the times either i or someone i knew had something go missing. remember it, but don't dwell. there is an explanation, but oftentimes you will never hear it. Ryan, sorry for your loss, either by nature or man, and to the rest of you, know that you should be careful who you allow into your world, because you can't always trust people to act as you would.

[KING]

:heart:

[hobogato]

:thumbs_up: post of the month mike!
ryan just came in and said, "hey, watch yourself, some people are shady," ..... Ryan, sorry for your loss, either by nature or man, and to the rest of you, know that you should be careful who you allow into your world, because you can't always trust people to act as you would.

[allan]

Ryan,

I'm locking the thread, as it does seem that many of the comments that are coming about are a bit off the original mark intended. I'll confer with the other moddies and see if this thread should be moved to the lounge as suggested.

And, Ryan, please... if you feel that I've locked this prematurely please send me a message and I'll unlock it immediately, cool?