ok, so i have a 10 gallon tank in the research lab to keep some pretty, interesting, non-danio type fish for our amusement. 3 tiger barbs (2 tiny ones 1 big momma), 2 hf tetras, 1 tricolor shark, 1 chinese algae eater, and one weather loach. They've been doing great, we spoil them, they couldn't be happier... then the loach dissapeared.
started late last week when the CAE decided to take over his little hiding spot inside the castle/rock/plastic thing. He'd slip in, then get chased out, lather rinse repeat. he was hiding under the clam bubbler tuesday morning, then by late afternoon, they seemed to be sharing the castle. The loach was in there, and the CAE would chase someone, then return. Now normally the loach is in there all day and comes out when we leave for the night, so i wansn't surprised that he was in there. it was strange that the CAE shared it with him...
Now its thursday, and i haven't seen the loach for 2 days... so i pick up the castle... nothing... I check the floor and under stuff all over... nothing... i poke the gravel and sift around for him... hmmm... then we look at the algae eater... he looks fatter... crap.
Our current theory is that he killed the loach, dragged him to his lair, then ate him over the last days... bones and all. now i know that CAEs can be agressive and stuff, but kill and completely devour a 5 inch weather loach in 2 days? Is this reasonable? I may bring him home to the 35 gallon agressive carnivour tank if he keeps it up, i knew it would come to this sometime.
So, anyone have any ideas if this is plausible? other theories? thanks for any feedback.
started late last week when the CAE decided to take over his little hiding spot inside the castle/rock/plastic thing. He'd slip in, then get chased out, lather rinse repeat. he was hiding under the clam bubbler tuesday morning, then by late afternoon, they seemed to be sharing the castle. The loach was in there, and the CAE would chase someone, then return. Now normally the loach is in there all day and comes out when we leave for the night, so i wansn't surprised that he was in there. it was strange that the CAE shared it with him...
Now its thursday, and i haven't seen the loach for 2 days... so i pick up the castle... nothing... I check the floor and under stuff all over... nothing... i poke the gravel and sift around for him... hmmm... then we look at the algae eater... he looks fatter... crap.
Our current theory is that he killed the loach, dragged him to his lair, then ate him over the last days... bones and all. now i know that CAEs can be agressive and stuff, but kill and completely devour a 5 inch weather loach in 2 days? Is this reasonable? I may bring him home to the 35 gallon agressive carnivour tank if he keeps it up, i knew it would come to this sometime.
So, anyone have any ideas if this is plausible? other theories? thanks for any feedback.
