help catching a cleaner wrasse

[dlsmith21]

First off, I have had him 2 years. He was sold to my husband as a neon gobie by a LFS trying to make a quick buck. He is currently in my 210 fowlr and I need him OUT ! I am either going to put him in my reef tank or give him to somebody I know with a huge system. Considering it is a cleaner and not the typical food eating fish ( although he does eat brine, mysis and loves seaweed sheets) what kind of trap can I use or what kind of method would work the best ? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as I need him out ASAP. Thanks !

 

[dlsmith21]

My husband came up with one idea and I am wanting to make sure there would be no side effects. He said to take some of that nylon window screen and cut it to tank size. Attach it to 2 1x2's with staples and use it like a drag net. I would have to move all my LR from one end of the tank and put the net in. When the wrasse is on that side of the tank we would open the net and trap him at that end. Then the possibility of catching him would be a lot better than trying to use a dip net. Would there be any adverse side effects from the wood/staples/nylon screening ? I am worried about chemicals that may be used to treat the screening.

 

[lendz]

you're lucky to have a cleaner wrasse. Why are you taking it out?

 

[dlsmith21]

I am getting a dog faced puffer. He would pick him to the point of stress.

 

[pinkie]

I have a cleaner wrasse with 4 puffers. 95% of the time they love having the cleaner wrasse on them, IME it is the other fish that get stressed by him more than the puffers.

 

[Crazy One]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12563016#post12563016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lendz
you're lucky to have a cleaner wrasse. Why are you taking it out?

Lendz is right I would trade my cleaner wrasse for the world ,I've had mine for a yr and a half and have triggers and none of the fish have ever bothered him at all. I think having a cleaner is cheap insurance to control parasites.

 

[dlsmith21]

Thanks for the help. I'll go ahead and keep him. I know my triggers love the cleaner and I was hating to take him out but I have read that they are not compatible with puffers. The whole no scales thing. Once again, first hand experience is worth it's weight in gold. Thanks again !

 

[lendz]

That's great dlsmith.

Who said that it's not compatible with puffers? In the sea,cleaner wrasse cleans every fish that wants to be cleaned. So I guess,by saying that its not compatible with puffers,its like saying that the reef is wrong.

I would like to have a cleaner wrasse too,but it suddenly dies after cleaning my fishys.