How to catch a fish

[package]

I have a $15 royal gramma that is keeping about $150 worth of shrimp hiding in the rocks.

I have been trying to catch it for about a week in a 210g reef. I have a plastic bottle that I turned into a trap in which I have caught 2 mandian gobies and a green clown goby, no gramma.

Naturally I would prefer that the fish be caught unharmed but I would blow it into a dozen parts if I would not damage the tank or other inhabitants at this point - meaning I tried a small hook - other any ideas?

 

[carb850]

Sorry I have no ideas for your problem but I do want to inquire about your Royal Gramma problem. Is this normal behavior for this specie of fish? I'm looking at adding a Black Cap Basslet to my tank and I read they are very docile. Sorry for taking this OT, I just hope to avoid the issue your having. I do wish you luck!

 

[phljess]

I think your best bet is the bottle.

 

[package]

I have read many times that they are timid, docile, etc. I think it is BS. I have had 2 royal grammas and they were both nasty. I never had a black cap but did have one that was solid pink (do not remember the name and too tired to look it up), it was also nasty - only toward something smaller.

Before my grammas only messed with small fish. This one, just the shrimp. I have no less than 4 skunk cleaners and 4 fire shrimp. They use to stay somewhat hidden, now I nearly never see them. The gramma just hovers over top of the rock waiting for something to peak out.

 

[firefish2020]

evil creatures.

Your welcome to borrow our fish trap.

 

[LowCel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12142587#post12142587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefish2020
evil creatures.

Your welcome to borrow our fish trap.

Or do my method, let a net hang in the tank for a week or so, evenutally he will get comfortable going around it. Once he does just walk up to the tank and net him. You were there Ron, remember how easy it was.

 

[jmccown]

Agreed that RG's are mean. I think they're almost as bad as damsels.

 

[package]

I have had a net in the tank for a week, actually 2 nets but it is so quick. It just darts into the rockwork. It is not so afraid of the net. I caught a hippo tang that way once during feeding time.

I think it knows I do not have the cat like quickness I once did.

 

[Kung]

dynamite. It's the only way.

 

[carb850]

Someone else suggested getting your tank completely dark for a bit then turning on all of the lights simultaneously. They said it would temporarily blind the fish allowing them to be caught easier. I never attempted this but it might be worth a try.

 

[coralreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12145239#post12145239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by package
I think it knows I do not have the cat like quickness I once did.

Coming this Spring on the Discovery Channel Are you Smarter than a Royal Gramma?

 

[firefish2020]

Any update man?

 

[Reef4Fun]

I caught a fish once by using a flashlight after all the lights went out

 

[package]

Pickup the trap and tried it on Friday night, no luck. I am now leaving the trap in there a few days to get him use to it.

He is definitely quicker than me, smarter - not sure.