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my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 6:58 am
by brazon
My cleaner wrasse disappeared overnight, no trace. Tank is a 75g with a protein skimmer, sand substrate, and plenty of live rock. Parameters are solid, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Tankmates include a pair of clowns, a yellow tang, and a firefish. No aggression observed. Any ideas where it could've gone?
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:15 am
by Dancer
Cleaner wrasses are known to jump, especially if stressed. Did you check around the tank? Also, any recent changes like new fish or equipment? They're sensitive to sudden shifts in water quality or tank dynamics.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:48 am
by rivvol8
brazon wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 6:58 am
My cleaner wrasse disappeared overnight, no trace. Tank is a 75g with a protein skimmer, sand substrate, and plenty of live rock. Parameters are solid, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Tankmates include a pair of clowns, a yellow tang, and a firefish. No aggression observed. Any ideas where it could've gone?
Yeah, these guys are sneaky. Mine once hid in the rockwork for three days after a water change. Might still be in there, just spooked. How's your lighting schedule? Sudden changes can freak 'em out.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:21 am
by cipherist
I'd double-check the rockwork and behind the tank. Sometimes they wedge themselves in weird spots. Also, any chance it could've gotten sucked into the filter or overflow? Had a similar scare with a goby once.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:50 am
by medicora
The cleaner wrasse is a delicate species. It might have succumbed to stress or disease. Check for signs of illness in other tankmates. Water parameters seem fine, but sudden temperature swings could be a factor.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 9:56 am
by kaleek
Dude, that's rough. My buddy's wrasse did the same thing, turned up in the sump a week later. Maybe give it a few days before you panic? Tank sounds chill otherwise.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 10:44 am
by flakey
Cleaner wrasses are notorious for hiding. Mine vanished for two days after I added a new powerhead. Could be a reaction to something subtle, like flow changes or even a shift in feeding times.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 12:10 pm
by brazon
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll check the sump and rockwork again. No new additions lately, but I did adjust the flow a bit. Fingers crossed it's just hiding.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 1:10 pm
by Dancer
brazon wrote: ↑Wed Aug 27, 2025 12:10 pm
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll check the sump and rockwork again. No new additions lately, but I did adjust the flow a bit. Fingers crossed it's just hiding.
Flow changes can definitely spook them. Let us know if you find it. In the meantime, keep an eye on the other fish for stress signs.
Re: my cleaner wrasse vanished overnight
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 1:57 pm
by rivvol8
If it doesn't show up, maybe consider a lid. Wrasses are jumpers, and even a small gap can be enough. Learned that the hard way with my sixline.