Bottle trap method

[sherief.elsayed]

Hey everyone on RC,

Just wanted to share to most of us less experienced aquarists that the bottle trap method worked. I have been dealing with 2 devil blue damsels and 2 three striped damsels in my tank and they were reeking havoc in my tank. And even nipped my yellow tang to death, he is recovering now.

I put in the trap before I went to work and by the time I got home roughly 5 hours later, I had all trouble makers in one bottle. Just thought I would share!! Good luck To those who may want to try this. I used a standard Poland spring bottle and cut about a quarter below the cap line and inverted the lid inside the bottle. They can get in, but hard to get out.

As of right now they're going to the lfs, if anyone In the NJ area let me know. The fish are ok with some, just not for me.

 

[sherief.elsayed]

Forgot to add I obviously sprinkled food into the bottle to get them in lol

 

[shesacharmer]

I've used this method twice. Coincidentally the first time it was for Damsels. I caught the harrassed one easily and put it into the trap. The mean one was in that trap so fast I was surprised!

The second time it took longer...almost two days...to catch my Sailfin Blennie. But he still took the bait. Sometimes you have to reset the trap a couple of times as the snails and hermits will take your bait. But in the end it's a very effective tool.

 

[sherief.elsayed]

Lol yeah, when I first set the trap,roughly about 12 hermit crabs were trying to get in, but couldn't because they kept slipping over the texture of the bottle. I was initially a little concerned that the damsels would not be able to get in, but sure enough, aggression won in this case and they got around them. I wouldn't know how this method would work with other fish, I have numerous fish in my tank and only my damsels fell for it.

 

[sherief.elsayed]

Anyone has any recommendations to catching more difficult fish for the forum?

 

[AdamNC]

I've used it to catch a Neon Dottyback. Dropped a cube of frozen brine inside and he was trapped in a matter of 5 mins. Easy catch and he was off to the LFS and traded him for a Blood Shrimp.