Help Catching My Royal Dottyback!!

[roly01]

i need some ideas from you guys on catching my royal dottyback, ive had it in my tank for about 4- 5 months but its harassing everything!! when i first got him he was tiny and didnt bother anyone but now that hes gotten a little bigger he wont stop attacking my clowns and has my firefish all bitten up.. ive tried feeding him and keeping the food near a net but hes to smart and wont even go near it do you guys have a any ideas on how to catch him!!

 

[ocean82]

Use the coke bottle trap

 

[roly01]

ok just googled it and it seems interesting but i think she might be a little smarter then that, and if she does fall for it and go in i think she will figure out how to get out she is always coming in and out of tiny holes in my rocks but ill give it a go..

am i supposed to watch the tank constantly while the trap is inside, or are they supposed to not know how to get out??

 

[ocean82]

just keep a eye on it while the trap is inside the tank, you will get other fish to go inside the trap . relax dont worry they will find a way out. once the dotty goes inside the trap and you go reaching inside the tank to get the trap, the dotty will swim up becasuse the coke bottle is clear. rememeber once you invert the cut bottle top into the body of the coke bottle make sure the whole is a good size for the dotty to get in.

 

[roly01]

alright thanks ill give it a try, ill let you guys know how i do

 

[ocean82]

it will work

 

[JLopez]

I'll get it out for $50.

 

[ocean82]

damn, i thought this place was to help people, not give it to them.

 

[zoliyis]

It should work. from my experience, to keep the top attach to the body, you can use rubber ban. I actually think it's even easier if you can attach a wire(or airtube doesn't matter) to the bottle to help the fish get desoriented. Once he get in, pull the wire, it's even better than putting your hand because you can stay further away with the wire in your hand waiting patiently

 

[zoliyis]

Actually, there are a couple of methods that you could use if one doesn't work. Check this link out. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=707656

 

[Acromatty]

I've trapped fish before and it took a couple days before the fish was comfortable enough to venture into the bottle. I'd put it in there and just wait, no need to check it constantly at first.

Interesting aside, I caught a Naso and a Grouper with a trout hook to move them to a different tank. Both were unharmed and it was a blast.

 

[mitchwelt]

I'll get it out for $50.

i hope you werent serious?

you can use a small hook from outdoor world with some food on it, i did it twice and it works fine...
cost about 1.50....

 

[giglio324]

Well after reading this thread and every single other one on google the terror that a bicolor dottyback can wreak. I GOT HIM. Started to pull the rocks he hangs out near and he came out with one of them. I couldnt be happier. The last time i buy a fish without googling it first. Thank god.

 

[ocean82]

They do best in a large tank

 

[doreo]

i thankfully havent had to catch mine. on the other side of that comment i havent had one live long either so ive stopped trying with them, but i have had no issues with a net or bag to catch fish, they must take after their lazy owner lol