DIY Critter Trap Tutorial (Pics Included!)

[hot4teacher]

I saw a lot of posts asking about the DIY critter trap for catching crabs and shrimp, but I never saw a picture of one. So I decided to lend a hend to the reefing community and make a quick tutorial. Good Luck!

Step 1:

Here are the tools and materials needed:
1 pair of scissors
1 soda bottle (I chose the *NEW* Honey Lemon Fanta here in Japan)

Step 2:

Take off the label and cut funnel shaped top off. *Be careful not to jam the scissors into your hand while doing this! It will hurt!* :mad2:

Step 3:

Turn over the piece you cut and jam it down into the cylindrical part of the bottle. Hopefully it is a tight fit. If not, you may need to go back to the store and get yourself another bottle and consume the contents. (If only cold brews came in plastic bottles!)

Step 4:

Place in tank sideways. You will have to bait it with some food and may have to either add some weight to the inside or partially bury it in the sand.


**Note** You don't want to make the funnel part permanent because you won't be able to get the critter out!

Also it is a good idea to be checking on it often as some critters will eventually find their way out.



Good Luck DIY-ers!

Dana

 

[MHannon]

Got a trap for a fish? I have a hawk fish I need to get rid of but cant catch. I know I will probably end up tearing the rocks down, but have'nt got to it yet.

 

[hot4teacher]

I'd be curious if a 3 liter bottle with the big openings would work. I remember Shop-Rite having them years ago. You would also have to cut down the length of the body so it could fit in a tank.

The opening would have to be big enough for the fish to fit in.

Just an idea...

Dana

 

[metalManiac]

works for fish as well! i have caught dottybacks in this type of trap.

 

[talath]

Nice post H4T! This little thing is quick to make, cheap and effective! Plus, since it's clear, it's fun to laugh menacingly as you behold the little bugger you've been chasing around the tank for a week.

 

[mandrin13]

I have noticed that it is hard to get the air out and sink the trap.I also dont like that you have to take the trap apart to get the fish or invert out.I have made a trap simaler to this by using two soda bottles.With the 1st one you cut the top off like H4T has done then you cut the other one in half.Then you put the top inside the one that is cut in half.Then you can use the cap to empty air or water out. It is also easier to get whatever you were tying to catch out.I make these for catching lifve bait for fishing all the time(once or twice)

I hope you like my idea.

 

[Rhodan]

Mandrin - Couldn't you place a few tiny pin holes to allow air to escape when submerging into water? I never used the trap so I may be way off base.

-Matt D.

 

[boyer]

anyone have one for fish? im trying to catch a coral beauty, and a royal gramma and my coral banded shrimp... sigh

 

[douggiestyle]

use a net. seriously.

i regularly wave the net around inthe tank when feeding. i also use it to shoe away fish when feeding my large polyps. the fish become desensitized in a just a few feedings. now if you need to catch one. swish and he is yours. my tang lets me "scratch" him with the net handle. when he gets annoyed you get to see why they are called surgeon fish.

i like your trap dana!

 

[rsteagall]

Whats a good way to secure the funnel without it being permanent?

 

[skhle]

You can use scot tape it will hold until you remove it, also I used air hole and drill hole at the end of bottle andpump food in to catch fishes.

 

[hot4teacher]

Yes, you could modify it as needed to prevent any bubble from staying inside it. Drill a little hole in bottom if the bottle and when you put it in the tank, angle it so all the air leaves that hole. Maybe a 1/8" hole?

Hey, maybe someone should start a Critter Trap mod thread!

 

[douggiestyle]

a couple holes and you could use wire ties to secure the top. you could also use some sandpaper to rough up the funnel part to lend some traction. also add some crushed coral inside to help hold it in place.

wasnt trying to hj the thread just trying to help sebae89 get his hawk.

 

[hot4teacher]

Great info douggie! Anything to help improve it isn't hijacking!

Dana