Trick to catching fish in a aquarium/reef tank

[shoelaceike]

So we've all had a situation where we needed to get a fish out either because of aggression, coral nipping or many other reasons. Trying to do this in a stocked reef tank in nearly impossible without tearing the entire tank down....

This idea is not new nor is it mine but it works like a charm. I needed to remove my bully yellow tang which proved impossible just trying to catch it.

The method is to use a net to feed the fish......the below video is only the 5th day trying this....I can now pull out any fish any time without stressing anyone.

 

[cginter]

Fish trap.... Sat in front of my tank for 30mins before I caught a flame angel and red coris wrasse who ended up being problems in my tank.

 

[shoelaceike]

Fish trap.... Sat in front of my tank for 30mins before I caught a flame angel and red coris wrasse who ended up being problems in my tank.

They cost like $50. The idea is the same.

 

[Jlobes]

so, did you get the YT out of the tank??

 

[shoelaceike]

so, did you get the YT out of the tank??

Not yet I'm giving him a little longer to see if he can behave. At least now I know I can take him out whenever I want.

 

[Jlobes]

ok. i dont quite see how you can remove him whenever you want, but if you think so...im happy for ya.

how will you catch YT, w/o all the other fish in the net? also, after the first or second time/attempt/success, do you think the fish will still eat out of the net??

 

[shoelaceike]

ok. i dont quite see how you can remove him whenever you want, but if you think so...im happy for ya.

how will you catch YT, w/o all the other fish in the net? also, after the first or second time/attempt/success, do you think the fish will still eat out of the net??

The point is, the fish are no longer scared of the net.....when I put the net in before the food, all the fish come to the net....when I do take him out I will update this post.......

 

[Jlobes]

i get that, but do you think they will reacquire their fear, once you try to feed them and snatch them out? also, like you said, ALL the fish are in the net. how do you single out the YT?

 

[shoelaceike]

i get that, but do you think they will reacquire their fear, once you try to feed them and snatch them out? also, like you said, ALL the fish are in the net. how do you single out the YT?

I'll post a video when I do it....Because they are not afraid anymore, I can move it around and kick the ones I don't want out....and as long as I periodically feed them with it I don't think they will be afraid. Time will tell. This is an old trick that has worked well for a long time

 

[dewboy1127]

This could take weeks for some people as some fish are more skiddish that others just to warn people .....i tried it with no success my fish are gone as soon as net comes out it would take mnths of prep to get this to work for me personally but i will say once fish are used to it you are good to go ive seen it several times

 

[shoelaceike]

This could take weeks for some people as some fish are more skiddish that others just to warn people .....i tried it with no success my fish are gone as soon as net comes out it would take mnths of prep to get this to work for me personally but i will say once fish are used to it you are good to go ive seen it several times

I guess it depends but my fish were petrified at first but quickly got used to it.

 

[sc50964]

Pretty neat. They are all in the net! Definitely worked on your tangs. Probably works on most tangs or bold behaving fish.

 

[trio91]

you can also use the "light trick" which is what i have always done in the past and has worked....

 

[shoelaceike]

Pretty neat. They are all in the net! Definitely worked on your tangs. Probably works on most tangs or bold behaving fish.

My chromis are not bold at all and they are all in there.....

 

[shoelaceike]

you can also use the "light trick" which is what i have always done in the past and has worked....

Whats this?

 

[sc50964]

My chromis are not bold at all and they are all in there.....

I guess I didn't pay attention to the chromis. I just remember that the flame wrasse wasn't in the net.

 

[shoelaceike]

I guess I didn't pay attention to the chromis. I just remember that the flame wrasse wasn't in the net.

The flame sure was.....check again

 

[sc50964]

The flame sure was.....check again

Naw..., I take your word for it.

 

[TreyC2010]

Looks like it works great for your tank. I'd also be curious as to how the fish react once someone gets "taken". I used the bottle trick and put new food in it when others would eat it. Then after I finally took a fish out with it, they never trusted me again. Good luck with the yellow tang.

 

[shoelaceike]

So I got the yellow tang out. Sorry I don't have a video of the capture as it happened within about 2 seconds of pouring the food in the net. The fish were going in and out so I just lifted it up when it was only the YT in there. Now lets see if the fish go back in....I'll let y'all know.