This is one of those, "I was stupid and lost a fish, but at least I can share my experience and perhaps save someone else's fish" stories. blinky

While moving my 12G growout tank from one room to another, I took out all the rocks and put them in a plastic bin. They're lava rocks so they have lots of little holes and cubbies in them.

After I put everything back everything seemed fine, but I never saw my 1.5" Syno. Eupterus. After a day or two I figured I messed up somehow, but there was no sign of him.

Today I put the remaining rocks in the bin into another tank -- and discovered the S. Eupterus' body. He had apparently wedged himself into a rock... and came right out of the water with it and into the bin. Unlike his 3.5" cousin, he did not growl at me, so I didn't realize something was wrong.

Sigh. I hate killing fish by me making mistakes. dumb dumb

It happens to the best of us. Sorry for your loss. I almost did that with a pleco years ago.

I've done that - - twice. worry wart!

My favorite loach was in a rock that I removed along with several others while trying to catch a holding fish. I found him dried up at the bottom of the bucket.

And I once transferred a young demasoni from one tank to another when I moved a rock with lots of little holes in it. It didn't last a minute before a crabro gobbled him up. He was s wimming around with half a fish sticking out of his mouth, so I attempted a rescue, but it was too late. The poor little guy was dead. :Sad:

Those are certainly sad stories.

I too have nearly killed a pleco because I didn't know he
was down in a hole in a rock.

But fortunately, he swam out quickly as soon as he hit the water
in his new home.

This hobby certainly isn't a perfect science and it keeps us humble!