Cleaner shrimps vanished

Agreed, I know there are MANY variables, but 1 fish per gallon in one of the best averages for waste export, etc.

I had statrted a thread and someone posted an elaborate formula of fish linghth in inches per gallon, I was still well under that one also.

I curremntly have 10 fish in a 125Reef.

AND, I too had my wonderful cleaner shrimp disappear w/o a trace. CUC must have made fast work? He had molted successfully several times.
I think Scotty beamed him up!

 

Not sure what you mean by 1 fish/gal. Maybe 1 fish/10 gal? Either way, the stocking limit has a whole number of factors, starting with the type and amount of filtration. This includes live rock, skimmers, chemical, macro algae etc. From there, you need to look at maintenance routine (more maintenance means you may be able to keep more fish than a person who does less). Circulation is also very important in nutrient export; more is better. Then how much you feed the tank. If you like to overfeed, then you will need to keep less fish.

There is no formula, but a decent rule may be 1" fish per 3 gallons in a well filtered & maintained system. Total gallons includes sump/refugium as well.

 

My guess is that you have a hitchhiker that has grown large enough to tackle your shrimp. i still find crabs and other hitchhikers that i have never seen before and it has been over 2 years since i have added any rocks

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/minimum-tank-sizes-selection-animals-137158.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hob...general-rules-successful-aquarium-126326.html

 

Thank you all for your input. And yes, I have two cats, So they are now on the list of suspects too. And considering that the shrimp could have crawled out of the tank and there was not even a trace of skeleton left in the tank..... I guess we will never know who's done it.

Just to relieve a bit the concern of those who think I have too many fish. I have a Remora C skimmer (rated 75 G) and a Fluval 205 canister filter (rated 40 G) and over 25 lbs of LR.
My water parameters (yesterday) are Phosphate: 0, Nitrate 20, pH: 8.4, Calcium: 440 and no Nitrite of course. The water is clear and there is no excessive alage growth. There is no bio overload. The Chromis, Damsel and 6-Line Wrasse are about 1 1/4" - 1 1/2", the Royal Gamma about 2" and the Maron Clown about 2 1/2". Except for the clown, I had them over a year - I bought them quite small.

PS: I have kept aquariums now for about 14 years - still learning.

 

Sounds like you have a very colorful and active tank, as a side note I would like to see an image of it you're able.

 

Are your power heads covered? I had three peppermints turned into instant fish food before I put two and two plus uncovered MP40 together.... Could also be a predator hitchhiker such as a mantis etc??