How to capture/catch clownfish in a tank

[redgator]

Have you ever seen the Acclimate by Reef Gently? I just caught a super hard fish to catch, a Blue Tang, and it took less than two minutes. Not only is it easy, but a lot more stress free than nets, etc. Plus, you can use it to acclimate, transport and catch all the bristle worms you have.

 

[av8]

I'm constantly amazed how trusting tank-rased ocellaris clowns are. I can practically reach in and grab them with my hand (not that I would...) The clear container trick works great: Food in the container, clown follows. One of mine has gill parasites. So catching him for a FW dip was a no-brainer.

Any good links for clown gill parasite info?

I needed to move an Ocellaris today, so I DID reach in and scoop him up with both hands. No fuss, no muss; I've done this many times. They like to swim into your hand, just bring the other hand on and keep covered during the transfer.

 

[vaporized]

IME, clowns have been the easy fish to catch. I have never had to pull all the live rock to catch one, unlike some of the others. My Niger trigger is a beast to catch. It hide in the smallest crevis and lock it dorsal fin in to the rock.

 

[Sagz70]

Catching a clown fish is always a challenge for me. Especially with LR and the beloved caves.. This writeup hopefully will change all of this for me!

 

[Freddie83]

I tried everything when trying to catch my pair of clowns, I was finally able to scoop them up with zero issues in the middle of the night while they were sleeping. I don't even think they woke up until the day after.

 

[125mph]

Just took out another set of clowns.. these guys didnt fall for the fish trap and obviously couldn't net them..

I took out 1/3 the rock structure on the left side of the tank.. I have a egg crate tank divider I made a while back.. when the clowns traveled to the left side of the tank, i simply used the divider and blocked them from going back into the rock structures.. after that, netting them was real easy.

 

[ClayaLaLeona]

I use the anemone in a container technique but putting a clear container in the tank and egging the clowns into it with my hand works just as well. I tell people I'm going fishing, as wacky as it sounds

 

[higorc]

Good info guys

 

[SantaMonica]

I got lucky... when transferring things out of my cracked 90 to the poly tub, I was able to drain everything down to 1/2" of water. The clown was still as hard to get as the chromis.

 

[Railcar79]

reading this thread makes clowns sound like apista (sp?) probably be easier to drop an extension cord in the tank. Once I get my tank up and going the clowns will stay till they die.

 

[Reef dog 29]

Use a fish trap

 

[Freddie83]

I've found the best way to be at night while they sleep.

 

[Aquatic Flow]

Try doing it at night

 

[s2nhle]

My black and white clown always attack my hand so it is very easy to catch her.

 

[Klnsheree]

I had to take out my Clarkii clown after it went on a killing spree. I go in thinking he's been so good and is used to hands being in the tank that he'll be ok. Boy was I wrong! Runner, hider, you name it. So, I wound up rearranging my entire tank. Took 10 minutes to finally catch him

 

[PeteV_LV]

I like clownfish - gr8t information. New to all this so any help would greatly appreciated.
I have a 40 gal tank with live rock and sand, canister filter, power head, heater.
Questions: What other fish can I have in the tank with clownfish? How many?

 

[tonyda1st]

I've always had bad luck catching fish. I had to take out all of my rock and catch them that way.
I tried the clear soda bottle and clear plastic container with no luck

 

[Wilrok]

Thanks for info , won't use nets anymore !

 

[RastaFan]

i had 2 successful catches on this - big mouth plastic bowl, while holding it soaked at the top of the tank (leave it for around 2 mins before putting flakes), scatter flakes on top of the mouth of the bowl, then the clowns will go after the flakes (now he's inside the bowl mouth at least) - then scoop the bowl up!

 

[jeffltodd]

I've had to catch my clowns a few times. Turn the lights of and scoop 'me up in the net... no muss, no fuss.