how to catch a wrass
- Thread starter Cruella
- Start date
There are fish traps from, I think, Foster & Smith. You can make one from a coke bottle. You are, however, dealing with a fish that learns---fast. You don't state the size of your tank. SOmetimes you lift the rock out. Sometimes you try to get it to fight a mirror and net it. SOmetimes you try slipping a plastic barrier he can't pass (rare) and trapping him in a corner of the aquarium, then netting him.
reefD
New member
ok i forget the size of the wrasse but here are your options
first the easiest thing to do is plan a weekend clean up of the tank. this will take removing rock and then netting him out no worries.
now who wants to take appart the rock work? no one but heck this is a sure fire method. all other methods may take you forever and most likly never catch him.
you see most fish trapps work on the idea that you can lure them. hell not many saltwater fish will go for this with total comfort. now with certain fish you can get them used to the trap as a feeding area then hit the button. but a wrasse moves alot and he will most likly momentarily dive in and out. a tang is easier as you can bait him with algea clip.
i mentioned the trap so l;et move on to some other methods that have worked for me but will take an effort of trying it to work. you need to attemp this as it may work . after lights out total lights out....add a net to the tank and sit it somewhere...wait 4 hours...make sure room is in total blackness for this entire time....then hit on full daylights! not actinics but daylight bulbs. metal halids or flourecence....now keep the room in total blackout except the tank (obviously). now wait and sit in front of the tank with hand on the net. once you see the wrasse wake up and cruise about try to ambush him. he shouldnt be able to see well and you may be able to scoop him. the trick is let him come out and cruise a bit before going for the scoop out. it has to be fast and swift no timidness or hell catch on faster.
this is my best help versus taking everything apart. this worked once for me and the last time i had to accept the fish and months to a year later i upgraded and got him out then. good luck
first the easiest thing to do is plan a weekend clean up of the tank. this will take removing rock and then netting him out no worries.
now who wants to take appart the rock work? no one but heck this is a sure fire method. all other methods may take you forever and most likly never catch him.
you see most fish trapps work on the idea that you can lure them. hell not many saltwater fish will go for this with total comfort. now with certain fish you can get them used to the trap as a feeding area then hit the button. but a wrasse moves alot and he will most likly momentarily dive in and out. a tang is easier as you can bait him with algea clip.
i mentioned the trap so l;et move on to some other methods that have worked for me but will take an effort of trying it to work. you need to attemp this as it may work . after lights out total lights out....add a net to the tank and sit it somewhere...wait 4 hours...make sure room is in total blackness for this entire time....then hit on full daylights! not actinics but daylight bulbs. metal halids or flourecence....now keep the room in total blackout except the tank (obviously). now wait and sit in front of the tank with hand on the net. once you see the wrasse wake up and cruise about try to ambush him. he shouldnt be able to see well and you may be able to scoop him. the trick is let him come out and cruise a bit before going for the scoop out. it has to be fast and swift no timidness or hell catch on faster.
this is my best help versus taking everything apart. this worked once for me and the last time i had to accept the fish and months to a year later i upgraded and got him out then. good luck
the problem is that my tank is a 75 and I have about 125-150 lbs of live rock. I never thought having to much rock was bad.. I tried to catch hi, with a net and a shrimp on a string, it almost worked. but he is a quick learner. I am going to try the light trick. this should be fun. I swear my husband is going to kill me!!!!
