catching a fish

[adam 13]

I was wondering if any one could help me out on how to get a fish out of your aquarium without breaking it down.

I have strawberry dottieback (first fish I bought, big time regret on that one) that I really would like to move out of my tank. I have 2 years of coral spead on the rocks so breaking it down is not an option. Most of the rock is covered by star polyps, zos, etc. and I really like it the way it is.

My LFS recomended that I try to fish him out with a hook like a bass or something. I questioned him but he said they had had great success with a hook and line, so I went to bass pro shops and got some 23 hooks (fly fishing) and tried it unsuccessfly. He went after it and took the bait but no hook! Maybe I will try again...

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks...

 

[Anonymous]

I have caught fish by rigging a short section of 4" pvs pipe with a swinging trap door made of eggcrate that shuts when you pull up the trap. Sometimes I have fed the fish for several weeks in the trap before they would stay in it long enough to catch.

Here's a tip I heard at MACNA from Joe Yaiullo from Atlantis Aquarium. Let the light go out normally at night, and make sure the tank is in complete darkness for several hours. Then turn all your lights on full blast and wait. The fish will come out after a bit, but seem blinded for about 5 minutes, and can be easily netted.

I haven't tried it, but he said it is reliable.

 

[Len]

I'd use a barbless hook as a very last resort (have done it successfully, but not recommended). There are commercial fish traps that would be perfect for a small fish like a basslet. I believe Ultralife is still making them and you can find them at any major online pet retailer (look on our sponsor's pages). The traps are easy to use and effective.

 

[Anonymous]

Traps often work well.

You can try this if your fish feeds at the surface...just feed, and have a net ready. Turn off the light (or have someone else do it) as the fish are eating from the surface. You need a light that turns of immediately, not MH. Scoop at last known location of fish/fishes. I've done this with damsels, or any fish that feeds at the surface.

The other fast way is hook and line as stated. I've done this several times, and am about to do it again this weekend.

Another way is make a "cave" from a pitcher, or other suitable container. When the fish swim into the "cave" remove it.
A large clam shell works great for this. This method might work well for your particular fish. Just a variation of the trap really.

Another one that works, but takes some patience - Put the net in the tank, let the fish acclimate to it, and wait for your target fish to just swim into it. It may take a day or two - or three, but it often works.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Here's a tip I heard at MACNA from Joe Yaiullo from Atlantis Aquarium. Let the light go out normally at night, and make sure the tank is in complete darkness for several hours. Then turn all your lights on full blast and wait. The fish will come out after a bit, but seem blinded for about 5 minutes, and can be easily netted.

I haven't tried it, but he said it is reliable.

I've used this tip... works like a charm... my lights go out at 10pm... I woke up at 2pm (wife thought I was nuts), put on all lights, and sure enough, caught him without any problems.

~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

I'll have to try that one.

 

[Anonymous]

I have caught fish by rigging a short section of 4" pvs pipe with a swinging trap door made of eggcrate that shuts when you pull up the trap. Sometimes I have fed the fish for several weeks in the trap before they would stay in it long enough to catch.

.

I do the same thing, except I used a plastic soda bottle for the body of the trap.

It is really important to make sure the fish is comfortable going well into the trap before you pull it, don't want him to slip out as the door closes.

Works really well for me.

 

[adam 13]

Jim,

Do you have angling tips that I need to know about?

He did strike it but I couldn't hook him.

I tried the net thing before and I just can't seem to trick him.

BTW the LFS did tell be to file off the barb on the hook. Can anyone tell me why? I assume to easier get him off.

Thanks for everyones help!

 

[Anonymous]

You need to "set" the hook. When you feel a tug, tug back hard. DO NOT wait any longer than this. You don't want to gut hook him.

Jim

 

[adam 13]

Still unable to catch him... I don't know if the hook is still to big for him to get his mouth around... It was the smallest that they had... ARRGGGGHHH

I think that he may have eaten the pistol shrimp that I put in yesterday.

Do you think that a 1.75 inch pistol shrimp can defend himself from his attack? I heard several pops this morning but nothing since then.