Catching dwarf angels...

[apuhl20]

So I need to get my flame and lemonpeel angels out of my dt. Anyone have any suggestions how to do this. There is no way to move the rock or drain it. Anyone had luck with traps?

 

[Capt_Cully]

Took me 3 weeks of all sorts of different methods to catch a cherub angel in a 180. BUT, when I finally caught it, it only took 15 minutes using the "clear bag" trick. TRUST ME!

Large sized freezer or plastic bag, clear! Purse string some fishing line around the outside of the opening of the bag. Place a rock in the bag, or wedge it into some LR. Put some of the angel's favorite food into the bag. Shut down or reaim any powerheads that will blow the food around. Run the fishing line out of the tank and into your hand. Sit low and wait. Be prepared to see every fish you are NOT trying to catch, swim in and out of the bag. BE PATIENT! The fish you are trying to catch WILL swim in there eventually.

Once he does, yank the string as fast as you can. It will sinch the bag closed with the fish inside. I've used it several times since learning it. It is a method that can serve many a reefkeeper well.

Good Luck!

 

[apuhl20]

Never would have thought of that one...will give it a try and see how it goes

 

[tqpolo]

I have used the soda bottle trap and it worked 3 out of 3 times. Interesting enough the only fish that ever gone inside the trap is the Angel i'm trying to catch.

 

[nivekid]

It took me three hours to catch a cherub angel in my 37 gallon with just a net. I wish I would have seen Capt Cully's method above. Would have saved me from removing all of my live rock and corals!

 

[apuhl20]

what is the soda bottle trap??

 

[kgk]

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what is the soda bottle trap??

Get a 2L bottle of soda. Cut the top off, about the place where the bottle reaches maximum width. Invert the top, stick it in the bottom and secure somehow (super glue, zip tie, etc), and presto ... fish trap. There are more steps to it (like you'll probably need to make the spout opening larger depending on fish size), but that's the gist of it.

I have a coral-eating African Flameback that I'm going to try this on tomorrow as well. Good luck!

 

[JTR0510]

yes will be doing the same this week for a coral beauty that has started nipping at my sps. will be trying the soda bottle method if that dont work hen ill try the clear bag capt cully did to catch his.

 

[kellerexpress]

I like the bag idea, Im going to try and catch my blue tang with it!

 

[apuhl20]

Well the bottle trap is awesome!! Took less than 5 minutes to catch my lemonpeel angel, then another 5 to catch my longnose hawk. Only the flame angel left to go. I was skeptical about how well it would work but was amazed. Much better than a $35 fish trap. Thanks for the great advice,

 

[sslak]

soda bottle trap worked for my Eibli angel too, it's a great method. Glad you had some success!

 

[Kairi]

If food doesn't work, often a mirror casting the fish's reflection will. Especially for an Angelfish which can be aggressive would much much rather "attack" a potential intruder of the same kind. Clear bag sounds like a good idea too, I'm just worried pulling the bag up with a rock in it might crush the fish.