JynxGirl,

i have seen what you described a couple times. once I was at cb pets with some friends and right before our eyes for no apparent reason whatsover, their beautiful copperband decided to jump out. it hit the floor, i grabbed it up fast and put it in the tank, but it didn't survive the day. what happened precisely would be impossible to tell w/ out a autopsy, but I suspect it destroyes some vertebrae, and I expect your 7 inch long tang was capable of generating enough speed to do the same.

The other time I saw it was in my own tank, a long time ago w/ some freshwater angels. I turned on the lights and the male in my breeding pair skitzed out and died. (angelfish do that sometimes. always smart to turn on the room lights before the tank light)

I am sorry you lost your fish. :(