Anyone have any good ides to catch a fish in a reef tank? I have a 125g reef tank with some fish. I was very careful in selecting the fish I would place into the tank. However I purchased a Bowtie Damsel who is supposed to be reef safe and he is picking on ALL my coral. I NEED HIM OUT!!!! HELP!!:mad2:
trying to catch a fish
- Thread starter Cuda21
- Start date
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
Cut out a 2liter bottle of sode, just cut the top part of andinvert it back into the bottle. Place the bottle in the tank with some food, the fish should swim in!
There should be a law against Damsels. No, there should be a bounty on them. It is like your tank is infested with poltergeists.
I was at a fish store in Louisville over the weekend. In a far back tank was a large plastic grinning skull. A sign on the tank said it was the "Godfather" and advised customers to inquire about leasing arrangements for Damsel removal service.
The store owner explained that the Godfather was not the plastic skull, but the fish behind the skull. I looked more closely and there was a large Grouper hanging ominously behind the skull.
I would still put my money on the Damsels. Mean little buggers...
I was at a fish store in Louisville over the weekend. In a far back tank was a large plastic grinning skull. A sign on the tank said it was the "Godfather" and advised customers to inquire about leasing arrangements for Damsel removal service.
The store owner explained that the Godfather was not the plastic skull, but the fish behind the skull. I looked more closely and there was a large Grouper hanging ominously behind the skull.
I would still put my money on the Damsels. Mean little buggers...
Recty
New member
I'm a big fan of the barbless hook method. There have been times there was NO WAY I was going to break down my entire reef to get a fish out. Just get some fly fishing line and the smallest barbless hook you can find. I got mine at a Sportsman's Warehouse, basically like a Walmart for sporting goods.
Anyway, what I do is dip the small hook into a piece of whatever your favorite food type mix is and then put it into the freezer for like 30 seconds. The small dab of food will instantly harden and it can be relied on to stay on the hook for 10-15 seconds before melting off once in the aquarium water. Or if your damsels are used to eating mysis shrimp or small pieces of meat, just spear that onto the hook.
The challenge is not catching fish in the tank that you dont want to
Give it time, you'll be able to do it. I've found it helps to feed the tank a little bit so all the fish think they are getting food, but dont feed so much they arent hungry. Then you basically watch the offending fish and when you're exactly overhead of it, quickly drop the line into the water. You'll almost immediately have a fish on.
Before I get hammered for inhumane treatment... this is the PREFERRED method for catching fish in the wild and most likely any fish that wasnt netted or cyanided (talk about inhumane) was hooked. I'm sure it isnt great fun for the fish, but a small hook shouldnt cause any problems.
Anyway, what I do is dip the small hook into a piece of whatever your favorite food type mix is and then put it into the freezer for like 30 seconds. The small dab of food will instantly harden and it can be relied on to stay on the hook for 10-15 seconds before melting off once in the aquarium water. Or if your damsels are used to eating mysis shrimp or small pieces of meat, just spear that onto the hook.
The challenge is not catching fish in the tank that you dont want to
Give it time, you'll be able to do it. I've found it helps to feed the tank a little bit so all the fish think they are getting food, but dont feed so much they arent hungry. Then you basically watch the offending fish and when you're exactly overhead of it, quickly drop the line into the water. You'll almost immediately have a fish on.Before I get hammered for inhumane treatment... this is the PREFERRED method for catching fish in the wild and most likely any fish that wasnt netted or cyanided (talk about inhumane) was hooked. I'm sure it isnt great fun for the fish, but a small hook shouldnt cause any problems.
rlf_racing
New member
I am in the same situation, but not with damsels. I have 4 target fish that are starting to get a little overly aggresive and to big. Not trying to take over your thread, just going to tag along for some ideas. I am going to try both ideas to see what will work.
salty316
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12893142#post12893142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Recty
I'm a big fan of the barbless hook method. There have been times there was NO WAY I was going to break down my entire reef to get a fish out. Just get some fly fishing line and the smallest barbless hook you can find. I got mine at a Sportsman's Warehouse, basically like a Walmart for sporting goods.
Anyway, what I do is dip the small hook into a piece of whatever your favorite food type mix is and then put it into the freezer for like 30 seconds. The small dab of food will instantly harden and it can be relied on to stay on the hook for 10-15 seconds before melting off once in the aquarium water. Or if your damsels are used to eating mysis shrimp or small pieces of meat, just spear that onto the hook.
The challenge is not catching fish in the tank that you dont want to
Before I get hammered for inhumane treatment... this is the PREFERRED method for catching fish in the wild and most likely any fish that wasnt netted or cyanided (talk about inhumane) was hooked. I'm sure it isnt great fun for the fish, but a small hook shouldnt cause any problems.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. Try a small trout hook and file the barb off. Usually the most aggressive fish is the first to feed.
i am going try the hooksthe barbless hook does work but it takes time. i got 3 green chromis out of my tank that way but they seem to learn not to hit the hook if the get off it once so make sure you get them. i had to wait a few days so they would go near it again. also dont feed for a day its way easier if there really hungry
