Another Damsel Dilema

Tangalong

Tangalong

New member
Well...I did it again !!! Let myself be talked into getting something from my LFS that I should have known wasn't the truth. I wanted a few more blue/green chromis to school/hang out with my other 3 in my newer 75 SW that is basically my Tang's tank...just for him..the only chromis they had were not even 1/2 inch long, so was unsure if they would be treated nicely by their tankmates ... the LFS showed me 3 Blue-fin Damsels and told me they were of the same family as the chromis and would probably school and hang out with them. DUH !!!! Damsels they are and in every way...they keep the poor Chromis cornered in one place and pick on them as well as one of their own and do not school at all..

I need to get them out and back to the LFS but boy, are they fast and smart...it's like they know I am going to take them out..they don't hang out on top like the Chromis do...but in the caves in the LR and the bottom...I have thought about not feeding for a couple of days and hopefully they will come to the top for long enough to be caught, but don't want to not feed the tang..

Is there any food that these fish really love? And is there a trick to their capture? The tank is pretty new, so I don't want to take out LR and mess around with it too much and stress the Tang...this was a recent move for him. Any help would be so much appreciated...

===========

Curly
 
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They are evil and tough to catch. You can either drain the tank real quick so that they have no where to swim and net them and fill back. Can be done pretty quickly so no harm done. Or you can fish them out with a barbless hook? I have done that with success. Fish are fine after. Don't think you will be able to net them as is.
 
evil is right. never again.

i have two in my sump that refuse to be caught. outsmarted the fishing line trick and a trap. they may live there forever.

hate to say it, but bite the bullet and take the rock out and remove all damsels. they have the potential to bully every fish that gets added. my blue damsel (now in sump) is five inches and would try to kill anything...
 
You don't think they'll grow complacent and unsuspecting at any point that I can feed them some raw shrimp or something and they will come to the top? That's a lot of water and right now, nowhere to put it untill water change is due...Brute is full of "ready" water...I just hate to upset the Tang as he hasn't even been in there a week yet from the other tank and is doing so well. But I guess chasing those blasted Damsels around with a net is stress enough huh?

The tank comes to my shoulders, which really makes it a job. UGH!!! They are not even an inch long.

Thanks for trying.

---------------

Curly
 
Is that the inverted top one? Would I cut the neck just as big as the Damsel's body? And would raw shrimp work? I'll try it tonight...I thought they were too smart for that,
 
Well if they sleep in the open, try middle of the night netting. They are NEVER complacent and definitely on the evil side.
 
I wonder if I should leave the fuge light on or off? I think if I leave it on they will stay out of the caves more. I agree...they are evil...even the Tang is making them stay at one end of the tank. They are pretty little fish though..a shame they have that attitude. Wish I had gotten the baby chromis'.

I can't punch holes in the plastic bottle...have to ask husband to do some with his drill tomorrow if I don't get them tonight.

============

Curly
 
Well, my helpful friends...a little update !! I caught one of those little suckers last night !!! He was the smallest one and think he was the "look-out" as he was watching them stalk the Chromis and was swimming to the top. I snatched him up and put him in my QT tank. Got another this AM but it was a Chromis. Didn't seem to stress him much...they swim along the top all the time right under my nose and I can touch them without it even bothering them..so different.

The Blue-fins are hiding now so probably won't get another chance like that...will get the trap ready tonight and go for it.

At lease one less is one less...really appreciate all your help.

---------------

Curly
 
Also, I would suggest never using that LFS again.

Try the new method, and at least you have one down and two to go. Good luck,

Matt:cool:
 
The trap is ready !!! Sure hope they go in it...I tied a piece of fishing line onto it to snatch it out if one does. I did a 20% PWC today and tried moving some of the rock out to reach them...fat chance that !!! Hands just not up to removing all that rock. Maybe when the weather gets warmer...but hopefully they will have been caught by then I don't like how they treat the Chromis..I have had them for almost 2 years. Damsels remind me of some people...just plain mean !!!

Well, I'm positive...I shall "go fishing tonight" and hopefully report some success tomorrow. Have to take one Wolfhound (Murphy) to see his favorite person early AM. He has had a small personal problem all summer...hopefully that problem will be through soon... "Murphy's Law" last year for sure.

Thanks so much for the encouragement...

----------------

Curly
 
No luck last PM so guess it's back to net-snatching...I've been feeding the Chromis in their corner and the Tang his food and standing by and they know I'm waiting for them so don't come up for food...maybe they will get hungry enough and I can get them.

I'm going to fix the LR so I can stick a piece of eggcrate down in the tank when the Blue-tips go to an end and, hopefully, isolate them on that end...that way I won't have to take so much LR out and hopefully catch them...Think this will take some time...

I wanted to thank all of you for being so helpful...I love this forum..only the second I have ever belonged to I'm hooked..where else can one get such excellent advise? And friendly also...you gals/guys are the best...

Curly

I have lots of questions on fish to ask so hope you don't get tired of me...
 
How about a GOOD update??? I finally caught the Damsel from H___!!! I had to take out almost all of the LR but he is in a 5 Gal that I have some LR in growing some Aiptasia to observe.

He could have been in the 10 Gal that the big Watchman is in, but he attacked him and bit him 3 times before I could get him out. The Watchman will hopefully be accepted back at the LFS and replaced with something more gentle. His disposition wasn't the best either, but not bad like the Damsel.

Since you helped so much, you can help decide his fate. The other 2 are still in the 35 Hex with my Stomatopod, Bree so if I put him in there, I will have to take them out since I think he will kill them...he is 3 times their size !!! Bree is molting now, so that will have to wait.

Or, I could take him back to the LFS and maybe get another Sissortail Goby.

snorvich, you helped so much...where would you put him? Anyone else want to reply, please do..I know some of you are still around. Thanks so much for still being there to help me...I really appreciate it. It's so nice that you answer and help when other forums just ignore you.

Curly
 
Well, personally, I would take him back to the LFS for two reasons: testing the attitude of the LFS (do they want to help or just sell stuff) and secondly because there is no good solution in your tanks for him. I personally like scissortail gobies, but that is a personal preference. Good job, in any case,
 
Then the LFS it shall be, hopefully tomorrow. Actually, snorvich, you must have read my mind; I was planning on getting another small sissortail. I have 3 and 2 seem to pair off at night and the 3rd is smaller and needs a buddy...they hang out together all day. I love them...so graceful and beautiful.

Thanks for your opinion and advise.

Curly
 
If all that fails, you could always give the damsel to some other reefer with a big hungry lionfish.

Good job catching them all.
 
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