On a mission - catching orchid dottyback

[potatocouch]

I'm on a mission to catch an orchid dottyback in about 30 minutes or 1 hour time.

I have 5 gallon of fresh saltwater prepared in a bucket.

I know which live rock and which hole the dotty is sleeping.

Light is currently out.

What I think of doing? take out the LR and wiggle the hole towards the fresh saltwater bucket.

Is this method fail-proof? Will there be a chance after shaking the rock, dotty is not coming out?

My back-up plan is, if it doesn't come out, I'll put the live rock into the 5 gallon bucket and see how we go from there.

My intention is not to kill the dottyback but at the same time, I do not want any die off. i don't want ammonia to spike up when I do this.

Any input is much appreciated.

 

[Sk8r]

Good luck. They are the wiliest fish to catch---and you get only one try per method, because they learn, and won't fall for it twice.

Move that rock out fast, have a net or large cloth ready and set that rock onto the net, or cloth, until you can move it to the bucket --- better yet have a friend ready to take it and dunk it; and keep any cats or dogs out of the room.

My guess is the second that rock moves he'll be out of it like a shot. The only way I caught mine was by digging a hole in a corner, dewatering the tank rapidly to the point fish gathered in the pit, catching fish, then rewatering the tank just as rapidly.

Good luck.

 

[potatocouch]

Good luck. They are the wiliest fish to catch---and you get only one try per method, because they learn, and won't fall for it twice.

Move that rock out fast, have a net or large cloth ready and set that rock onto the net, or cloth, until you can move it to the bucket --- better yet have a friend ready to take it and dunk it; and keep any cats or dogs out of the room.

My guess is the second that rock moves he'll be out of it like a shot. The only way I caught mine was by digging a hole in a corner, dewatering the tank rapidly to the point fish gathered in the pit, catching fish, then rewatering the tank just as rapidly.

Good luck.

But say it's still inside the rock, will it be possible that he won't come out? I don't want to kill the dottyback

 

[heathlindner25]

Good luck. They are the wiliest fish to catch---and you get only one try per method, because they learn, and won't fall for it twice.

Move that rock out fast, have a net or large cloth ready and set that rock onto the net, or cloth, until you can move it to the bucket --- better yet have a friend ready to take it and dunk it; and keep any cats or dogs out of the room.

My guess is the second that rock moves he'll be out of it like a shot. The only way I caught mine was by digging a hole in a corner, dewatering the tank rapidly to the point fish gathered in the pit, catching fish, then rewatering the tank just as rapidly.

Good luck.

I've had the best luck draining the tank also....but if you can get the rock out and he still in it you can leave the rock on your counter and after a few minutes he will come out then put him in the bucket

 

[potatocouch]

This fish won't bite right? as a precaution, I will be using gloves and put my finger to cover the hole so it won't get away as I take the rock out.

I hope I'll be fine.

 

[Sk8r]

He's too small to do damage, but wear gloves anyway: you might meet a bristleworm.

 

[potatocouch]

He's too small to do damage, but wear gloves anyway: you might meet a bristleworm.

thanks

 

[Scoted]

If I were you I would be prepared with extra buckets!

 

[RG Rude]

What happened??