My Midas Jumped :( :( :(

Hi Guys,

Sorry that I haven't been around, but work has been keeping me very busy. For some reason, my Midas blenny decided to jump ship yesterday while I was feeding the tank. I always keep covers on my tank but take one off while I am feeding. I think that will change now if I get any more jumpers. He jumped out and landed "behind" my tank, which is against the wall. I had to unbolt the bookcase from the wall and try to see behind my tank. I couldn't see him, so I knew he must be under the stand. So, I had to slide my tank and stand away from the wall. Luckily, it is on hardwood floors and has felt under it. It wasn't easy but I was able to move one side about 4 inches. By the time I got to him (about 5-7 minutes), he was pretty bad off. I put him in a net and let him rest in my sump. He started to move and gave me hope. At one point, he started trying to jump out of my sump. So, I put him back in the tank. He was having a hard time and I could see things weren't going to end well. I saw him trying to find a spot to hide and then saw my cleaner shrimp cleaning him. About an hour later, I saw a huge congregation of hermits and nassarius snails under a rock and knew he was dead. I gave them a few minutes to get their fill and then gave him a proper burial. Anyway, I am back to three fish again. I really liked him, so I may get another.

On an aside, I did find the body of my diamond goby behind my tank as well. I guess he did jump through the egg crate. I liked his personality, so maybe I will get another one of those. Thanks for reading and keep those tanks covered!!!!

Regards,
Ivy

 

Sorry for your loss. That was a real low probability of success jump on the goby's part. You could try bird netting in two layers offset so that the cross of one sheet is in the middle of the second sheet. It will probably allow more light to the tank than the egg crate is now. I know with a single layer I have appreciably more light than when I had egg crate.

 

Thanks!!! I ditched the egg crate a few months ago and made a set of tops out of screen frame and clear netting I got on the net. I like it because it lets more light in and is heavy enough that a fish can't lift it. Too bad I didn't have it on yesterday while feeding. Thanks!!!

 

Sorry for your loss!! I wonder what spooked him to make him jump during feeding. Again, so sorry!

 

I don't really think that anything got him scared. He had been getting along really well with everybody. I think that he just got so excited about eating and jumped clear out of the tank.

 

Oh no! Well at least he was doing something he enjoyed....

 

Sorry for your loss, that sucks. I know how it feels. I have had a few jumpers in my days as a fish keeper. I once had a 2 1/2 foot arrowana jump out of my tank when I went to feed it. Luckily I was able to pick it back up and put it back.

 

that thing must have weighed a lot!!!