Who's the murderer

[bettaboss]

Im am loosing my smaller fish all the time, nothing is left of there bodies. I dont know what is killing them but i think it could be the 2 clown loach I have.
In the tank I have:
5 Neon tetras
3 Mollies
2 upsidedown catfish
2 Clown loach
1 Female betta (very peaceful)

Used to have alot more tetras and mollies. Not sure weather to remove 1 upsidedown catfish and both clown loach. The waters fine and iv'e done tests.

[Lady Hobbs]

The betta is killing them and the clown eating them, IMO.

Because he's peaceful when you see him, doesn't mean he isn't a night hunter like many fish are.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Well, it depends on the species of Upside Down Cat you have and how big they are right now. Hobbs could be right on the money with the Clowns eating the bodies, but I don't know if I'd blame the Betta for doing the killing.

[Brhino]

the betta's the most likely culprit for murder for sure, but it's also a very good possibility that the fish are dying on their own and then the bodies are being eaten. A dead fish is a good meal for just about any other kind of fish.

[Lab_Rat]

If the upside-down cats have any size on them I'd go with them. Synos are hungry little beasts with bigger mouths than you would think.

[FishyPastor]

I ha a betta and when I had him in my 20 gallon he would attack the other fish.

[Brhino]

how big is the tank, and how big are the clown loaches?

[Piscine]

I can say that I've personally seen my (yo-yo, angelicus, dario, polka-dot) loaches killing Harlequin Rasboras.

[Lady Hobbs]

Neons, due to their size, is a natural food source for anything larger than themselves. Best to offer them their own tank for themselves or other wee tankmates.

[teddscau]

Neons can be housed with other peaceful schooling fish. Glass catfish would work. As for the betta she should be fine with others. She might bully the others a bit sometimes, but besides that the only way to kill the others (especially the mollies) is by nipping them to death.