Have you ever looked into your tank and not been able to find a fish? It happens more often than you might imagine.
Oh where, oh where has my little fish gone?
- Check inside the filter. Smaller fish can easily get into a filter’s intake tube. Unfortunately, most fish who get into the filter tube do not survive the experience. You can prevent this by placing a sponge filter on the outside of the tube to block the opening. You could even cover the intake tube end with a piece of old pantyhose!
- Look behind and underneath ornaments and plants. And by look, I mean look with your eyes! Don’t rearrange the tank trying to find the missing fish. That will just stress the other fish in the aquarium.
- Check outside the tank — especially behind the tank. Some fish do jump out of the tank. You can prevent this by adding a hood or lid to your tank and securing it tightly. If you do find a fish outside the tank, place him gently back into the water. He may revive after a few minutes! A friend of mine who keeps saltwater aquariums has had this happen with a rather expensive specimen of eel. I heard a story recently of him coming home from work to find “eel jerky” on the floor outside the tank — the eel had made an escape from the tank and dried out on the floor. Unfortunately, the eel in question did not survive the adventure.
Most times, your fish will be hiding somewhere in the tank. He’ll come out when he’s ready! Don’t stress, don’t paw through the tank, don’t tap on the glass. Would you like someone tearing through your bed if you were trying to take a nap? Would you like someone tapping on the window while you’re in the bathroom?