sad day in the tank...

[Poor Boy]

this morning i noticed my female mandarin was acting up, well, acting down if anything. she wasnt moving all that much and pretty much just sat there... she was still alive though. once i got back i checked on her again and noticed she was on her side and starring off... she was no longer alive...

AH ****!!! my first thoughts was she starved. i didnt quite get it though because the male looked healthy and full and every night i see little copes crawling around on the tank and the sump...

of course i fished her out, but while doing something i saw something a bit strange. something i havent seen on her before...

maybe a bite or a sting from the anemone?

what do you think?

24360

[polarbear]

Sorry to hear about the loss. It's sometimes a hit and miss with these fish. I've had 2 in the past and neither made it. Even though there seems to be enough food for them they are always grazing and eating. Maybe she just didn't get enough. Spots could have been from something nipping at her after she died. Clean up crews are fast to go after stuff like that.

[Poor Boy]

ah... yeah, it sucks.

will i notice a change in the male mandarin or is he more like, "more food for me!!!"?

[polarbear]

I would keep a close eye on him to make sure. Just keep checking to see if he is still hunting food. If you notice that he's not then you might look at giving him a new home. It sucks having to do it but might be best if he starts to decline. How long has your tank been up? Mines been up for years and still can't keep one. Every tanks different. Also do you have any other pod eaters like six line, other wrasses, scooter blennies? I believe this is why my pod population is low since I have several fish that eat pods.

[Poor Boy]

its a new tank to me, but i bought it complete from another guy. im not sure how long he had it set up for. the man is the only cope eating fish in there. i do have a small amph pop in the sump, but it doesnt seem to interfere with the copes.

[polarbear]

Cool. Just watch him to make sure he's eating still.