Murdering Doctor Fish?

[bllackpython]

We seem to keep loosing fish everytime we go out and buy more.
Before we got more fish there was:

• 1 Tetra
• 1 Angel fish
• 1 Guppie
• 2 Sword tail
• 1 Fire Eal (i think)
• 1 Frog
• 1 Doctor fish

Went and bought 5 Tetras and 2 guppies on the sunday and two days later we have:

• 3 Tetras
• 1 Angel fish
• 1 Guppie
• 1 Sword tail
• 1 Fire eal
• 1 Frog
• 1 Doctor fish

It seems like we are loosing a lot of fish and the weirdest bit is most of them disappear completely like they were never there. Doctor fish is very active and he is always going up to the other fishes. So starting to think he might be responsible. Any help would be great! Don't want to loose any more fish

 

[biohazard156]

I'd say it was the fire eel myself, I have the close relative of the doctor fish and they are very peaceful fish and haven't harmed anything in my tank.

 

[snake007]

How big is the tank?
How long have you had it running?

 

[bllackpython]

Our fire eel is so timid though, he usually only comes out for food.

It's about 60 litres and had the tank for years. Did clean the tank the day before getting new fish.

 

[snake007]

It could possibly be the frog, what type isit?
Also you know fire eels grow over 40 inches long right?
3 Tetras - Need groups of 6+
1 Angel fish - Social fish, need to be in groups, needs a bigger tank
1 Guppie -
1 Sword tail -
1 Fire eal - Grows big needs bigger tank
1 Frog - What type of frog?
1 Doctor fish -

 

[bllackpython]

It's a congolese river frog, there used to be 3 but now only one remain. It seems more stupid than aggressive though.

I know about the Fire eel, they mentioned when we bought it that if it grows too big we can always take it back to the aquarium and swap.

 

[snake007]

Just because a fish is not aggressive, does not mean it wont eat tankmates.
Well the fish probably won't make it into adult hood because it would die of being in such a small tank, I recommend you rehome it and the angel fish.
Get another 3 tetras and a couple more male guppies, rehome the frog.
Not sure on the other fish.

 

[onidrase]

I'd say it's the fire eel as well. Yes, eels are timid but but they're also predators, most predatory catfish are timid too, and both species are infamous for making small fish disappear, particularly during the night when they become more active. Doctor fish seem pretty harmless.

I'm also going to agree with snake007 on rehoming some of your fish, especially the eel. It's not fair to keep such a huge fish species in a tiny tank just cause you like it. He's also right in saying it'll probably die from being cramped up before you take it back to the store. Not to mention your tank mates aren't really a good choice for such a fish. If you want a big eel, get a big tank, and get big fish that won't get eaten by it.