Best way to catch a tang

Ziggy32

Ziggy32

New member
My sailfin tang has outgrown my 120 gallon and starting to stress out my other fish. I would like to know of any ideas to remove this guy without destroying my reef setup!! he is about 5-6".
 
Stop feeding and use a large fish trap baited with Nori, It wont take more than a couple of day's. The Fishes hunger will overide his sense of going In the trap. I caught 3 large tangs, One after the other like this even though they saw the others being trapped!
Bill
 
If you have some time, you can train the fish to eat out of your hand. I've done this with all of my larger fish (tangs, butterflies, etc.) and I can grab them really easily when they are expecting food. They also let me "pet" them now.

Going after fish at night works well too.
 
IFbettas said:
If you have some time, you can train the fish to eat out of your hand. I've done this with all of my larger fish (tangs, butterflies, etc.) and I can grab them really easily when they are expecting food. They also let me "pet" them now.

Going after fish at night works well too.
Click to expand...

Very cool, I wish I could hand feed my tangs... I had 25 freshwater cichlids that would do that.
My tangs are very timid when I get close to the tank. I have 1 yellow tang 4" 1 purple tang 4" and the 1 sailfin 5-6". The yellow and purple get along fine. But that sailfin is starting to fight both of them. I will try to catch the sailfin tonight once the lights go out. I'll let everyone know how I make out....
 
Not sure if this will help you. To catch my fish I use a critter carrier I bought at petco. Bait it with some kind of food in the back open up the little door on the top, get some reef safe super glue and glue a decent rock on the top of that door, tie a string around the door so you can close it when the fish you want to catch come in, and last but not least close the door once the fish enters. I have caught both my tangs that way. My sohal is usually the first one in, takes about 5 mins total. Then of course maybe my tangs aren't as smart as yours. :D
 
Good Luck! I find lights out is the best way. I keep the room completely black for about 30 minutes-1 hour then go in with a flash light. Just had to do this recently with an angel.
 
i seriously dont know how these people get fish out so easily...they must have a big tank... take all the rock out and capture him, then re aquascape
 
They are bold, I started feeding my fish in a fish trap. He would go in there and feed. Well all the tangs did before him, But eventually he did and i could pull him. It took a few days before i even tried to catch him.
Also some tangs would hand feed. When i wanted to catch them i would hand feed and have a net ready in the other.
 
Do a big water change, then in the middle when the tank is drained down some is a good time to catch fish. If possible, drain out all the water but 10% into tubs...that would be the easiest way if you have a ton of rock work.
 
I tried last night to catch him. I waited a few hours after the lights went out. I turned on my actinics and almost got him. I'll try again before I go to work in the morning.

Moving my rock is out of the question I have it glued and zip-tied together.

I will take my time not to stress this guy out. Maybe will become friends and eat out of my hand... If not I will try a fish trap... If not I will try fishing for him with my rod and reel LOL!!! :D
 
Often bacterial infection comes with catching a fish with a net. Even if the net is stertilzed, any small wound/removal of mucous is a possible entry point for bacteria.

For me, I always bite the bullet if the late night method doesn't work.

Biting the bullet is to remove all rock/ coral or place them at one far end and use a clear plastic bag to catch fish. Several hours spent, often.
 
well i guess fishing pole and hook is out of the picture for you. Some people actually use a small hook and fish their fish out.
 
Creetin said:
They are bold, I started feeding my fish in a fish trap. He would go in there and feed. Well all the tangs did before him, But eventually he did and i could pull him. It took a few days before i even tried to catch him.
Also some tangs would hand feed. When i wanted to catch them i would hand feed and have a net ready in the other.
Click to expand...

I did the same thing. Fed out of my fish trap for a few days and I had pretty much every fish in the tank in there at some point in time.
 
Well I'm not a winner yet, The sailfin is no dummy. I will try again in the morning. Thanks for everyone's input. I will get this guy. If a can't net him by the weekend I will pick up a fish trap from the LFS. I'll keep you posted.
Here is a pic Not the greatest....my color is off
008-1.jpg
 
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