Suggestions needed to catch a fish

[Antonee]

I have an agreesive Bartlett anthia that is getting on my last nerve. He chases every fish and pins my sunburst anthia to the back corner wall. He even tries to push my purple tang around. Just wondering what people are doing to catch an aggressive but skittish fish. Any signs of danger he dives into his hole. The only time he has any guts is during feeding time. Thanks.

 

[MondoBongo]

fish trap and lots of patience.

i had to use one to catch a total jerk of a six line wrasse a while back. my tank was large enough that i was able to buy one of the premade ones. then i set it up, baited it, and waited. and waited. and waited.

i stopped feeding the tank, and would only put food in the trap. eventually after about 3 days he finally got fed up and swam in to get a bite. then i shut the door, and hauled his bad temper having butt out of there.

this is the one i used:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-medic-fish-trap.html

 

[GimpyFin]

Keep the lights off for about an hour or so and then crank them on full bore. Stuns the fish for a few minutes and you might have an opportunity to catch him.

 

[nereefpat]

Rod and reel with the smallest, barbless hook you can find.

 

[MurphyLong]

I had a flame hawkfish that was a jerk... I used a specimen box. Drilled holes in it, and attached a door made with plastic canvas to it, ran clear fishing line through the specimen box, and put food in it with a sea squirt and waited. Sat there on a stool playing Angry birds, holding the line until he swam in and started eating. Pulled the string, it closed the trap door, and I transferred him to a bag, and took him to the LFS.

 

[Haunt]

The High & Dry method outlined in the link below has always worked well for me.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/sp/index.php

 

[brett559]

I have used the sudden lights on trick to good effect. In my current tank (42g) I've had to drain it to get fish out (yellow angel and then later a Starcki damsel). Very easy.

I realize that may not be an option if your tank is huge. I also used fish traps with good success - although patience is required.

 

[jeffmerrill]

I would go with traps but be prepared to wait and wait and wait some more.

 

[kenneth wolfe]

Catch a fish

Catch a fish

My last time catching a raccoon butterfly , it took a week , but success first I left a net in the tank so the fish get used to seeing it , second I hand fed the fish until it was comfortable they lifted net under him while he was eating from my fingers.

 

[moondoggy4]

I used to but a acclimation box in the tank. I would just leave it in there until all the fish were used to it. And when the suspect would swim in it I would put my hand in the tank and the fish will swim the other way to the bottom of the box and I then will pull it straight up, makes sure the box as holes in for draining.

 

[Stickboy97]

How big is your tank and can you move your rocks around? I had to remove 2 fish recently & used a white egg crate piece from Home Depot & slow sectioned off my tank until I had them on 1 end & netted them with ease.

 

[Antonee]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I tried to catch him but no luck. I've decided to leave him be. My purple tang started to put everyone in order. So I'm hoping it will stop because there is a new boss in the tank.

 

[Grayhead]

The fish trap from brs will work with time for most fish. I set mine up, ran fishing line from the trap to my couch. While watching tv, id keep glancing at the trap. Some fish, I would have to sneak back in the room and trap them. The only fish I couldn't catch was my bangi. Finally have up and removed all the rock and coral. That was a long day.

 

[lg2725]

I literally just caught my Dottyback. It took about a week. I made my own trap out of a plastic seltzer bottle. Did not feed yesterday and added some LRS that floated and stayed in the top part of the cylinder. Fed some nori to other fish to stir her up. 30 minutes later I got her I saw her enter the back of the bottle for the food and pulled up on the string I did need to leave the bottle empty for a few days for them to all get used to it. But success feels so good :beer:
She's in my sump until I can send her back to the LFS.

 

[Fonn]

Fish trap and stop feeding it for a couple days or place a small mirror in the trap's end to lure it in. Most of all, Patience ! Patience ! and Patience ! Good luck.