Damsel fishing

[Scuba Steven]

Yup I'm sure this happens a lot (and lesson learned!!) but I have a damsel that I definitely need to remove. It's a yellow tail damsel, and it's in a 36 gallon bowfront reef.

I've tried traps...he steers way clear of them, even when I cut back on feeding.

I've tried putting food in the net, he steers clear of that as well. I've wanted to try to see if I could at least just get him to eat out of the net just to get him used to it, but he absolutely has no interest.

Please lord tell me tearing down the tank isn't my only option! LOL

I figure I do at least have an advantage with him being the only fish in there, at least. Anyone have any damsel success?? Never again. FAIL

 

[MrTuskfish]

You're not alone. I've copied & pasted this many times. Sounds stupid, works great. (Reminds me of of a crude, but hilarious old joke).


"This may have been me, I always suggest this; but most people think its silly...until they try it. Tiny hook (hair hook, used to catch bait, very light fishing line, 2# test.. Flatten the barb and bait with a bit of raw shrimp..after the little monster has been eating it for a day or two. A lfs called me several times, when I lived in another state, to help them get unwanted fish out of customer's tanks (almost always damsels). I never failed, nor hurt a fish (much). I think this one of the most common questions on this forum. I suspect it is often the result of lfs selling damsels as "cycle starters".. I'll bet I've posted this reply 20 times; I'm going to copy & save it...I type very slowly. BTW, I never heard from anyone that tried this and failed, but have heard several success stories. IMO, it is no big deal on the fish, far less stressful ,(on the damsel AND tankmates),than tearing a tank apart."

Everytime I post this, I'm tempted to add: "then flush the little bastard down the toilet". But, most folks are more sensitive to this sort of thing that I am.

 

[madmike]

^^^ agreed... if he is the only fish then use a tiny fly fish hook and some line. Worked like a charm for my two damsels!

 

[Angel*Fish]

Can we please have a video of this?

 

[TRENT_G]

Nice, I'm going to try this tonight. Thanks

 

[Vang025]

I had the same problem. I thought of that but I didn't try because I also have other fishes in there that I didn't want to get hooked on.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I had the same problem. I thought of that but I didn't try because I also have other fishes in there that I didn't want to get hooked on.

Just yank it away from other fish. I've had it happen, but no real harm done. If the fish are used to eating the "bait" for a few days, a damsel is usually the 1st one on it anyhow. If you accidentally catch the wrong fish and have to remove the hook, be sure to handle it with a soaking wet cloth to protect the slime coat. BTW, there are quite a few fish that are commonly caught on the reef by divers "fishing"; most Australian harlequin tusks for example.

 

[mcoomer]

Whatever you do, be absolutely certain to buy barbless hooks or completely flatten the barb. If you do you'll be able to remove the fish from the hook without touching it. With a barbless hook, hold the line with one hand and use the other to clip a pair of hemostats on the eye of the hook. Once attached, twist the hook so that the fish slides toward the point of the hook and opening. The fish should slide right off so be sure to hold it low over a bucket of water when you do this. I've released millions of trout this way (alright, at least 100) and by minimizing contact they have a much better chance of surviving. Should work to get your damsel out.

Mike

 

[treylane]

Be more patient with the trap, they don't work immediately (at least, that's not the "usual" case). Don't feed at all except into the trap and you'll catch him in a few days.

Also, what kind of trouble is he causing if he's the only fish in the tank?

 

[Angel*Fish]

Be more patient with the trap, they don't work immediately (at least, that's not the "usual" case). Don't feed at all except into the trap and you'll catch him in a few days.

Also, what kind of trouble is he causing if he's the only fish in the tank?

That's good advice about the trapping. And I didn't catch that last line about his being the only fish!??? Why are you removing him. If he's a Chrysiptera parasema they often make a great community fish. Not all damsels are trouble. Did you cycle with damsels? If that's the case and your are new to the hobby, it's now known that is not necessary (even though the LFS may say the opposite)

 

[Scuba Steven]

Be more patient with the trap, they don't work immediately (at least, that's not the "usual" case). Don't feed at all except into the trap and you'll catch him in a few days.

Also, what kind of trouble is he causing if he's the only fish in the tank?

hey i'm back, sorry for late response and lack of explanation!

i'm going to try this tonight, i'll see if i can find a barbless hook too. i've read about this method too only i found hard to take it serious lol. i have trouble imagining it working because the fish is so small! i do believe you though so i'm going to try it! can i use mysis shrimp to bait or is raw shrimp suggested to attract him to the food more?

no i did not use the fish to cycle, as i am aware that's completely unnecessary. i have another aggressive mantis shrimp/fish only tank and i was going to move him there, and make my reef tank more peaceful. i've got two baby ocellaris clowns waiting to move in, they've been in QT tank for a couple months now, and i didn't want to risk the damsel harassing them and/or any other fish that i add in the future. just don't trust it

i could keep trying the trap too...had a much easier time catching a 6-line wrasse with it recently. but this damsel, it's like it knows to stay the hell away haha

i'm gonna try catching him again for the next few nights. i'll update you all. thanks wish me luck!!

 

[Angel*Fish]

Is he causing trouble with your other fish? You're going to video this, right?

 

[sTefaniA]

Just leave the open trap in there for a while. Fish get used to it. I feed out of a net (i rinse frozen food) and I can just skoop out three or four at the same time if I wanted to. Really if you're not in a hurry, just leave the trap in there and keep feeding near it. Just don't try and close too soon! I had to catch a dwarf angel once and he didnt go near the trap. But he got used to it, I closed too soon and he escaped and it took a lot longer to get him used to it again. Fish are smart, especially the ones you want to catch.

 

[treylane]

Feed whatever his favorite food is. And leave the trap in the tank if you can.

As Angel*Fish said, yellowtail damsels stay small and often make good reef citizens, so you may not need to be in a rush to remove him. He's likely to become a snack for the mantis in the other tank.