I think you're right about it not being the powerhead. I have yet to see a healthy fish have problems with one. I have however seen plenty of small fish picking at algae or food stuck to the powerheads without issue. It could just be the fish was too stressed and it finally caught up with the poor guy. It feels bad when you try your best to have a healthy happy tank for a new fish yet it still perishes despite your best efforts.:sad:

It sucks for 2 reasons - 1) this fish was so cool, he looked to me like he had a shark face, was greedy when it came to food. His base coloring was gorgeous purple/blue and orange/yellow on the edges of all his fins. He seemed really settled in the tank. 2) he was expensive.

I made sure I fed him as required, 2x's per day, tank was covered up which allowed our PITA cat to try to sit on top of the tank. No I don't think this was an issue as there was no way for the cat to get at the fish. The other fish (2 clowns, 2 cardinals and flame angel) did not bother him (that I saw) and he was not aggressive to the other fish. So the 2 fish I bought on the same day are now both gone.....

That is really unfortunate, Sheena. Even worse that it happened after three weeks in the tank. You'd think that by that point the chances of not losing him would be a lot lower.

Thanks Shelley, I know they are a tough fish to keep, which was why it went in the small tank with peaceful fish. I was told to keep the tank covered for a few weeks, but after watching how it swam, I was not going to remove the cover at all. I watched him every feeding and at no time was concerned. My RBTA has gotten huge in the last while, maybe it stung him? Maybe these are a fish that should be left in the ocean. I won't be trying another for sure.