Catching a court jester goby...

[Cloudburst2000]

I have a court jester goby in my 6g nano Fluval Edge tank. He's doing well. Had him for about three months or so. I am wanting to transfer him to my new 16g nano tank that I will be setting up in a couple weeks. I am trying to do some pre-planning. I am getting Tampa Bay Saltwater live rocks for the new set up. I have heard that mantis shrimp are common. If I find one, I want to have somewhere to put it until I can get someone to come get it. I don't want to kill a cool mantis if I can help it. But no way am I putting a mantis in with my goby. So the gobies new home will be the new tank. He'll also be the smallest occupant as he needs to be introduced first. The other fish will be my clown and barnacle blenny who are currently residing in the 12g nanocube that it getting replaced. Anyhoo, the little court jester goby is small and fast. What is the best way to catch a fish without totally destroying your rockwork?

 

[curlykid]

wait till your new tank is set up, then lower the water level and scoop him up.

 

[Cloudburst2000]

wait till your new tank is set up, then lower the water level and scoop him up.

Lowering the water. That sounds easy enough though I have a feeling he will hide under the rockwork. Might have to destroy the rockwork to get him out. I guess I'll just take a pic beforehand so I can remember where all the rocks go.

 

[yubunski]

Yep. Lower the water is the best way to go. Recently I had to get a coral beauty out and I tried everything and in the end had to lower the water to get him out. Traps, netting in the dark or even hook and line didn't work. If you have substrate make a low spot and he'll end up in that spot. I had a bare bottom and even then it was easy enough to net him with the tank empty. Took less than 1 hour to empty a 40 breeder and my sps didn't feel a thing. Good luck.

 

[d0ughb0y]

is your rockwork attached to the tank? for a 6 gallon tank, couldn't you lift out the whole rockwork? and actually take that opportunity to clean the tank as well?