Murder/Mystery death of Mr. Paddle

[Phractocephalus Hemioliop]

I would appreciate any help I can on solving a mystery death in my aquarium.

Scenario: 250 gallon 10 foot long tank

Victim: 10 inch long paddlefish

post-mortem: Found torn in half with parts eaten(sorry for the grotesque
details)
no previous signs of illness???

Suspects (tankmates):

Mata Mata turtle (10 inch long carapace)
Fly River turtle (5 inch carapace)
3 stingrays (12-10 inches)
Leopard Pleco L600 (12 inches)
Sunshine Pleco L014 (12 inches)
Zebra shovelnose catfish (7 inches)
2 paddlefish (10 inch snout to tail)

History: have been cohabiting without incidence for 2 months
fed 50-70 ghost shrimp per day including carnivorous pellets,
frozen blood worms and pleco wafers.

Theory 1: Paddlefish died of natural causes and was later eaten
Theory 2: Paddlefish was killed by hungry tankmate

Who do you think is the top suspect?
Do I need to make any changes to the community?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Blankmanrl]

Man this is a hard one I think you better call Scooby doo and the mystery machine

 

[kdrun76]

There are no obvious culprits for attempted murder. But a weak fish makes an easy target.

I trust your water parameters are in good shape?

 

[nes999]

my money is on the frt

 

[Crispy]

+1 to call the scooby gang..lol.

probably was weak and easy pickings

 

[spadoc79]

Mata Mata turtle (10 inch long carapace)

 

[dtgshark]

I'm with spadoc, mata mata turtle

 

[Phractocephalus Hemioliop]

Water parameters are good, zero nitrates
I do daily 2-5% water changes with siphoning

 

[MonsterMinis]

Never seen a mata mata eat something to big for it's mouth. FRT's I've heard can turn on tankmates.. my bet would be the FRT.

 

[NCStateFisher]

it's gotta be one of the turtles, rays wouldn't cut their victims like that, definitely not the plecos i wouldnt think, i don't know much about the zebra shovelnose so i'd assume one of the 2 turtles definitely.