New additions vanished

[dacaptain78]

So on Saturday I added a pair of Yasha Shrimp gobies and a pistol shrimp to my 50 gallon reef. I saw all three little guys dive into the rockwork and then they seemed to disappear. I have not seen any signs of them since.

Their tank inhabitants consist of a pair of clowns hosting a BTA, lemon tang, purple fire fish, and niger trigger. All the fish are well under 3 inches big. There is also a small CUC of snails and hermits, and various corals (SPS, zoa's, xenia, gorg, etc.)

I have not found any dried fish carcasses on the floor around my tank, and I did not see any fleshy body parts being picked on by the fish/inverts. I assume that the pistol shrimp could have fallen victim to the Niger, but I have not witnessed that fish attack any of my other inverts. Still I know it's possible, but then where are my fishes?

I am hoping that the shrimp dug a nice tunnel for them within the rockwork and that they are hanging out there getting accustomed to the new surroundings. When should I call off the search hounds and assume the worst?

 

[ryangrieder]

good chance they are hiding behind rockwork, in creaters in your rock, or already dug a hole under your rocks. were they a mated pair or anything? i would give it some time, they are small fish. hope for the best

 

[TripleT]

What are your plans for the trigger?

 

[dacaptain78]

Ryan-They were a mated pair that was also paired with the pistol shrimp. i hope you are correct and they are in there doing ok. Still did not see them last night.

TripleT- my trigger will probably go in my 90 gallon reef or my 125 gallon FOWLR if he becomes too much of a PITA for a reef enviroment. Or i will just trade/sell him.

 

[TripleT]

Ryan-They were a mated pair that was also paired with the pistol shrimp. i hope you are correct and they are in there doing ok. Still did not see them last night.

TripleT- my trigger will probably go in my 90 gallon reef or my 125 gallon FOWLR if he becomes too much of a PITA for a reef enviroment. Or i will just trade/sell him.

As long as the trigger is in there, I wouldn't expect your yashas to make themselves too visible in the near future.

Not to mention he'll likely grow to over a foot long.

I'd feed heavier than usual, including small sinking granules in the rotation. This way they have a chance at getting food wherever they are hiding... probably wedged under rock somewhere.

I actually have two yashas myself, and they seem to favor flake, enriched brine shrimp, and mysis.

If you feed mysis, chop it up first so it makes it to more places in your tank.

I bet if you drop a bunch of brine shrimp in there, they will dart out of their hiding places to grab some.

The pistol shrimp is another story. You may not find him for weeks or months, depending on your tank and rockwork.