Wrasse in overflow

[Reefinny]

Okay - so I guess I have seen these kinds of posts before but never paid attention to them. So my Temenikki went MIA a few days ago - figured it was hiding, then thought maybe it jumped so I took the flashlight out behind the tank, under the stand, in the crawl space under the tank, but no luck. So I have been trying to see if it was in the overflow - dropping some food in - trying to take a picture in there etc.

Well tonight I just saw it come up for some food. Now whats the best way to get it out - first of all I have a beast of a canopy - solid oak and heavy - it is a 2 person job to get it off, but then - how do I "fish" it out? If i take the overflow out I am scared the vacuum will suck it down to the sump (its a long ride to the sump) so whats the best way?

 

[marrone]

It really matter how easy it is for you to access the overflow. If you have fairly easy access to the overflow, then turn off the return pump and let the water level settle, or best do a water change, this will drop the water level in the tank and the overflow will stop filling up. Next stick a hose in the overflow and siphon out the water into a bucket. This will bring the water level in the overflow down and make it easy to net the fish out. Then take a net and scoop out the fish and put the water back and start the pumps.

The quickest way is to remove the overflow, and the fish will most likely ride down into the sump, just make sure you have a filter bag or net to catch it. I wouldn't worry too much about it being hurt during the ride down, and is some case it doesn't even go down but it stays in the overflow, and then you can net it out.

 

[Reefinny]

Yeah that is what I was thinking, my sump is in the basement though. It is quite a distance . I like the idea of shutting that water and siphoning it out to the point I can remove the durso with out causing a vacuum. The overflow is not easy to get to - it is a 2 person job to get my canopy off when I do take it off though I have some net for the back and guess its time to cover the overflow box some how.

 

[MO~IDOL]

The quickest way is to remove the overflow, and the fish will most likely ride down into the sump, just make sure you have a filter bag or net to catch it. I wouldn't worry too much about it being hurt during the ride down, and is some case it doesn't even go down but it stays in the overflow, and then you can net it out.

what Mike siad^^^
since you have a huge canopy I assume you have a big tank with at leatst 1" drain PVC. I did it many times for my wrasses and clowns no problem at all with 1" drain.

 

[Reefinny]

Okay I will give it a shot, the Wrasse is on the large size is my fear, my drain is 1.5" but then it splits at the end to two 1" lines into filter socks. Wife cant help with the canopy so I will have to get a friend over. Guess its the one downfall with the new canopy I made. The factory one I could move myself.

 

[Reefinny]

Wife was able to help me get the canopy off. Drained it out and got him. Ugh he doesn't look good. Got lights out and hope he has a good recovery.

 

[marrone]

That is always the case, he's probably scratched and scraped up but he should be fine.

 

[MIKE NY]

For those reading this I don't recommend just letting a fish take a ride down the pipe unless it's fairly new because over time calcium and minerals deposit along the inside and even in larger piping it can cause injuries. I have 1 1/2" piping and a few years ago a wrasse took the ride. It survived but broke a few dorsel spikes and cuts to its flanks. It lived the rest of its live perminately scared

 

[thirty6]

I've had quite a few return from the overflow. It should be fine Good luck

 

[Reefinny]

For those reading this I don't recommend just letting a fish take a ride down the pipe unless it's fairly new because over time calcium and minerals deposit along the inside and even in larger piping it can cause injuries.

I agree. The way I got it was shutting all the pumps off, let the water settle, then slowly removed the over flow, letting the water drain out until I could easily net it. The amount of build up in the overflow was incredible, sponges, calcium really amazing how much "stuff" was growing in there.

Anyway I kept the lights out last night, I am hoping to see it swimming around today and eating. Hopefully makes a great recovery. He was one of my first fish and was extremely colorful before this happened.

 

[BKLYNREEF123]

Keep him well fed and he should pull through. Unfortunately these things happen. I had a pink marginal I was convinced was a goner and he made it. Keep the fish and tank well fed.