Something killed my sargassum angler...

[Elizabeth]

The angler was introduced to the tank several days ago. He was eating happily, and all water parameters were and have remained stable-pH 8.2, SG 1.024, extremely low nitrates, etc. The darn thing just turned up dead, one eye missing with some markings/indents on his body. Other denizens of the tank: 1 big hermit, but not that big and literally has no claws at the moment. Tanks also holds 2 porcelain crabs, one medium (5 inch legs, extended) sponge decorator spider, 1 strawberry crab, 1 large pincushion urchin, 1 medium choc. chip starfish, 1 HUGE serpent star and 1 large bristled (red and black) sea star. Whole thing is crawling with pods too, but nothing nasty in the rocks that I'm aware of. None of these were problems for the previous tenant for as long as he lived in there-he moved to a different tank. However, they have been getting bigger since he was moved. Any ideas as to what (WHO!) it could have been? All of the inverts look fantastic at the moment-no spine loss on anyone, starfish are active and happy, etc. I'm sure it was something silly I didn't think of-I really am still new at this. I am just flabbergasted!

[Big_Pun]

he might not have settled in,
and been stressed. the missing eye and marks are probally from clean up crew eating it. I've seen fish that have just died being eatin by snails and bristle worms.

[allan]

I know you are genuinely concerned... But I have just GOT to see your tank! :)

Is it a fowlr?

I'm no expert, but sometimes a fish will just die. The other damage could be your clean up crew taking advantage of a recent kill.

[allan]

Too slow, Chris got ya, still would like to see the tank though :)

[Europhyllia]

what kind of serpent star is this?

[Elizabeth]

It's a mess right now, I haven't scraped the algae in a bit. Yep, it's FOWLR :). Personally I'm amazed more stuff in there hasn't died, I am perpetually surprised that the starfish haven't gone for each other.

Just realized how funny it is that my FOWLR is currently full of inverts and absolutely devoid of fish. I'm pretty sure I'm doing it wrong :-P

[Elizabeth]

Oh, he's a fancy banded serpent star apparently? Or so google tells me. Tan with dark brown stripes.

[Mike]

The decorator crab might be a suspect, but everyone else might be right about it being stressed and died...

[Bill S]

He was the only fish? I'd also suspect the big starfish...