How do I remove a tang?

[brannock_16]

I currently have a Two Spot Bristletooth tang that is showing tremendous amounts of aggression towards my Diamond Goby. Last night I also noticed that it was showing aggression towards my clowns. It shows no aggression towards the Blue Hippo though.

I want to remove the tang from the tank, but don't want to tear apart the entire tank to catch the guy. I have a 5 foot long 120 gallon tank.

How should I go about catching him?

Also, my Blue Hippo tang gets stressed very easily so I do not want to put undue stress on any of the other fish.

 

[crvz]

fish trap and patience is probably the least destructive, but if it's a quick turnaround a lot of folks will drain their tank, catch the fish, then fill it back up. Corals will be fine for about ~10-15 minutes if you can do this quickly (even longer if certain precautions are taken).

 

[cbr600rri]

sorry crvz and not to offend you. but IMO, emptying majority of the water and filling it back up for a 120 gallon takes longer than 10-15 mins

brannock_16, have you tried the following...do you have one of those rectangular fish containers that LFS uses or a deep size tupperware. And leave the container in the tank so the fish gets use to it and then try to shoo it in.

 

[crvz]

With the right pump it can be done. I'm not saying it's the simplest method, but it can be the quickest (especially if you don't want to rearrange rocks).

 

[brannock_16]

I do not think that emptying that tank is a viable option. As per fish traps, they are on back order at at the LFS, but will get one once they come in.

I also heard that a small barbless hook with some food on it would work as well.

 

[jhentr]

If you know it's sleeping area, try to catch him there early in the morning (4-6am) when the lights are still out and it's still 'drowsy'/not as alert. That's how I usually catch my fishes. Good luck.

 

[68551]

I tried for 1 year to catch my 2 spot bristletooth.... He seemed very shy at first then he thought he was the boss of the tank...My Lawnmower Bleny was mercilessly tormented but held his ground...I kept hoping the agression would lessen but when I got a orange diamond goby that he started tormenting & finally scared im so he jumped out.... that was it....The war had begun....When we were on vacation last year the LFS that babysat my tank tried to get him out & couldn't...I had my eye on a Purple tang that I really wanted & couldn't wait to get him out of the tank without tearing it down....I have a plexiglass fish trap that you put food in & it baits the fish...I never thought he would use it because there wasen't much room in it....It took 3 days of baiting with him outside the plexiglass watching the food float around pecking on the plexiglass wondering why he couldn't get the food....He finally went in & I wanted him to feel real comfortable in there ....He was the biggest food hog in the tank so it didn't take long for him to take the bait & go inside....For 1 day I left him feel real comfortable going in & out so not to spook him....The next day I put on a black outfit so I wasen't obvious outside the tank & he swam right in as usual ....closed the door & took him to the LFS to trade up for the Purple Tang I wanted for 6 months!!!! I just takes a LOT of patience not to close the door the first time he goes in....Good Luck!!!

 

[Ziggy32]

I just posted a thread last week on this subject.

Most people suggested trying to catch at night or early AM. Turn the lights on and get ready to catch it before it knows what going on.

Other people have trained there fish to feed out of there hand and when it's feeding time they just grab the fish out of the water!!!

Other people suggested a fish trap. This might take some time. Put the food into the fish trap and wait untill your fish goes in to eat and....You win.

I have been trying to catch a sailfin all week by waking up early and turing the lights on. My fish just hides behind the rocks when I try to get him.

I'm going to buy a fish trap. Good Luck

 

[julie180]

A mirror in the back of a fish trap works wonders with aggressive fish. They just can't resist trying to attach their reflection.

I don't even worry about food with the mirror method.

Also, its not difficult to make a fish trap. I did it with a 99 cent container. Doesn't have to be fancy, just be cautious of sharp edges.

Good luck,
Julie

 

[bshumake]

cut the barb off a fish hook and go fishing. works great. wound heals over quick and usually without any scaring.

 

[va813]

i caught a emperor angel with a small hook. worked like a charm

 

[SDguy]

Traps always work. It's the patience of the trapper that fails.

 

[ReefKeeper2009]

I posted something in Ziggy32's thread about using one of those critter carrier designed for spiders or small reptiles. Catching a fish with a lure is an option as well. Used that to get a powderblue out of a friends tank.

 

[bhammer]

here is a solution that has worked for me. I take a peice of acrylic and cut it 12" wide by the the water depth. Place it catty corner in you tank leaving one side open. I used a rock to keep it open. leave it there for a couple days. Then, only start feeding inside of this for another day or so. the fish will go in for food and when the one you want is insside, close it off and net the fish.

 

[cobra77]

catch him in the middle of the night once the lights are off for a couple of hours. Turn all the lights to the tank on all at once. This will temporally blind him and will be easy to catch. I caught fish out of tanks with my bare hands this way, as they cannot see for a minute or two.