threadfin rainbow vanished into thin air!

[Orlon11]

I just did a small water change and all 6 of my threadfins were swimming around looking just fine. Then I went to cook dinner and now I can only see 5!

The others look happy and healthy as usual. Could he be hiding? The tank is planted and has several chunks of driftwood. If he's dead in a corner, how badly will that affect the water? It's a 29 gallon tank and the threadfins are the only thing in there for the moment,

Extra info: I only have an ammonia test kit but the results have been consistently 0 since I added the fish
Fish were added on Saturday
The filter intake is covered with a sponge so no way he's in there
There is a small opening at the back of the cover, but unless my cats ate him there's no sign of a jumper.
I'm very confused haha

 

[litebrite8765]

are you sure you didn't suck him up during the water change?

 

[Orlon11]

I'm virtually certain I counted 6 after the water change. Although now I'm second-guessing myself. Maybe I counted a reflection? Anyways I didn't notice him when I dumped the bucket down the drain...

 

[Khuligirl93]

Check around your tank, he could have jumped out while your hood was open during the water change. If you don't find him, I would try again looking in the morning. He could just be hiding.
As a side note- are you in the process if cycling your tank? Threadfin rainbows are a very expensive choice to be the first fish introduced to an aquarium! Personally I would put hardier cheaper fish in first until you're sure the water parameters are stable.

 

[Orlon11]

The tank is a week old but has mature filter media and every time I check the ammonia it is still at 0 (I added some fish food at the beginning and ammonia only showed before I put the plants and media in). The threadfins were 6 for $12 so I don't think I could go much cheaper!

If he did jump out, my cats most likely ate him. Theres no body near the fish tank.

I picked them because they seem to be compatible with cherry shrimp (going to get those in a week or so, or when the weather warms up - don't want to carry them around at -20 celsius). It's strange, half the sources I've checked out say they're very hardy, the other half say they're quite delicate. I guess time will tell.

 

[Khuligirl93]

Wow that is a great deal! I've only seen them for $9 each!
You really need a test for nitrite also, because nitrite is just as toxic as ammonia is, and is the next step in the nitrogen cycle.