:unsure: umm.....guys...

[Matty]

I stated running my tank with 6 raptor tetras (they're piranha shaped, pink and about 1 inch each) and 3 bala sharks. They seem to have gotten along fine, but last night, I came home late and forgot to feed my fish . i didnt think that it was a big deal because i heard that fish can go up to 5 days without food, so a day wouldn't hurt. When i went to feed them this morning, i saw my three bala sharks, but only four tetras...There are no signs of them anythere, i've checked the tank a couple of times and have tooked for the skeleton, but its not there...where could they be? My bala sharks are only 2 inches long each and are very shy, so i dont think that they ate them, but i'm still missing two fish

 

[modernhamlet]

Raptor tetras are actually white skirt tetras that have been dyed. This process kills 90% of the fish before they can be sold. Those that do get sold (like yours) tend to be very weak fish, prone to a very premature death. Please try to avoid purchasing these and other dyed fish in the future, and if possible

As far as where they are... unless you've taken the tank apart and removed all of the decor, you're unlikely to find a small 1" dead fish. You might want to check the filter or under any decorations.

As far as feeding goes, you're right. Missing a day is actually a good thing. I skip feeding one day every week. Many experienced aquarists feed only every other day.

I have a couple of other questions if you don't mind me helping out.

Is the tank cycled?
How big is the tank? What are it's dimensions?

 

[BOD]

I had 6 neons and 6 cardinals..and they just kept going missing, i have never identifiyed the culprit...and never found a body...sorry not be of ne help but just letting u know.... ps: i only have 3 neons and 4 cardinals left! so 5 mysteriously vanished!

 

[Matty]

wow..sorry guys. I didn't know that my tetras were dyed..I wont be buying any more of those in the future. Thanks for telling me I just found out that my filter prescreen on the inlet tube wasn't attached...maybe they got sucked into the filter?

Oh, and yes my tank is cycled and its a 90g rectrangular tank

 

[modernhamlet]

The filter intake is certainly a good place to search, but in the end I wouldn't worry too much if you can't find them. 90g is a good size and a couple of very small fish won't likely effect the water quality.

It's great you've got a good home for the balas. Too many people put them in smaller tanks, but that trio should do wonderfully in your 90g. If I may ask, what other tankmates will you be adding in the future?

 

[Matty]

I was going to add an oscar, but then i decided that I loved Huey, Duey and Louie too much to have them bruised up by such an aggressive fish. I want to add an emperor shark, and im not sure what else (a blue acara maybe?) I'm not sure, any ideas?

 

[modernhamlet]

Can't say I've heard of the emperor shark. Do you know the species name?

Balas are peaceful, active guys so I agree that an Oscar would probably not be the best tankmate. What are you looking for in your tank? A few large fish? Shoals of schooling fish? What kind of decoration is in there now? Plants? Wood?

Your goals and the tank environment might help make your choices a little easier.

Some fish to take a look at if you haven't already:
Clown Loaches
One of the geophagus species (south american "eartheater" cichlids)
Rainbowfish
Dwarf cichlids like Rams, Kribs, or Apistogramma
Many, many more...


So many options for you. Give us your thoughts...

 

[Matty]

Thanks... I was thinking a few large fish for the tank.

OH!!! Guess what? I found both tetras....in the bottom of my Eheim filter! Both were pretty battered and bruised, but still alive! Its amazing that they survived more than 24 hours in the bottom of a filter...i feel so horrible for what they went through!