Trying to catch a Clarkii in a 220g - HELP!

[cranchreef]

Just started to build the 220g reef tank and have a Clarkii who has gone crazy and won't let any of the other fish to one half of the tank. I need to catch her and get her out. Any suggestions? The big green net doesn't do it and I truly don't want to take my tank apart. How do I trap her?

 

[ZombieExistence]

Clowns are hard sleepers IME. Try to leave the net in the tank by where she sleeps, then when she sleeps dip your hand in, get the net, and swipe her. Either that, or, feed her flakes that float that require her to come up to the top, cover the outside of the tank with a sheet so she can't see you standing there waiting for her to come up. Then when she comes up, slam the net into the tank and get her.

 

[cranchreef]

Great idea with the sheet - I know that she sleep wrapped in the anemone so I love the idea of catching her off guard! Thanks for the suggestion now let's pray it works!

 

[bugs713]

I spent 3 hours trying to catch a Flame Back Angle once and that only happen when I removed 80% of the rock... the clowns were the easiest.
Good luck!

 

[cranchreef]

I can't tell you how many hours I have spent in my lifetime catching aquarium fish - I think tangs are the hardest! My ocellaris clowns swim into my net - this Clarkii is a swift little bugger!

 

[ZombieExistence]

Let us know cranch

 

[jomskie_ad]

i can bring my fishing rod if u want

 

[reefstew]

Like you said that you have an anemone, just wait untill it's in it & corner it with nets on both sides. Clowns are the easy ones to catch.

 

[swishb]

I made a trap out of a water bottle and caught a six line .

Cut the cap end off and invert and glue it into the main body of the bottle attach a string and bait it when and if the fish swim's inside he won't find the small hole he entered and you got him. Good luck!!!!

 

[Danny_B]

dynamite?

 

[undertai]

Wait until the lights have gone out. Then around 1am or so turn out the lights back on. The fish are usually confused because of the bright lights making them easier to catch. Because the just flow around bumping into stuff. Not real big fighters when they just wake up.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Danny_B]

2 nets, use the stick end of the small one to heard it in to the second one....

 

[lostmyz]

2 nets... one large one small and a stick.... that's how I caught my purple tang.

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[wizardofyaz]

I spent 3 hours trying to catch a Flame Back Angle once and that only happen when I removed 80% of the rock... the clowns were the easiest.
Good luck!

Flashback to when I had to remove a flame back from my tank (and the rocks in the process)

 

[Helfrichs Chic]

The lights off/on trick works every time with clowns. They usually have a sleeping spot and dart for it on lights out. Be ready and scoop in with a clear vase (that's what I use) or a net. Don't let their eyes get adjusted thou before you try for it. I actually caught almost all my fish from my 110 I just sold this way. Including a powder blue.

 

[cranchreef]

Update - around 11:00, she was sleeping in her anenome and I took a small LED flashlight to guide me - took the large net and small net (I'll try the stick end next time or my hand) and tried to scoop her into the large net. Quick little bugger woke up and fled!!! There was NO WAY I was going to try and catch her after that. Tonight, I will try again, this time with the large net and my hand...and maybe my husband to hold the flashlight. I'll keep you posted!

 

[cranchreef]

UPDATE: I bought a long tentacle and placed him in the corner of my tank. Momma Clarkii decided to camp out. Last night I swooped in with a large net and flashlight - and SUCCESS! I caught her! So excited - now the rest of the fish get to explore the tank and not fear for their lives. The long tentacle was a bit upset that I swooped a net in last night but he'll recover!

Thanks for the advise and tips! I truly appreciate this forum!!