How to Catch a Wrasse?

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 08:44 AM

Okay, something may be wrong with my Yellow Coris Wrasse. I have posted on what he has (red spot on his side) in the fish disease forum but so far nothing in way of reponses. My question is this, how in the world would i go about catching him without tearing apart my tank and completely stressing out my other 3 fish? Some people say leave him in there and see if he gets better but if he doesn't and passes it along (if possible) to my other fish then I'm really screwed but I have a reef tank so i can't treat my tank with any kind of medication. I've thought about waiting until just after the lights go out and the fish are heading to sleep to see if I can net him then. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 09:47 AM

bump

gman0526 · 01/02/2007, 09:48 AM

Is it eating at all? If it is try and set up some kind of trap for it. Also if you know where it sleeps, they bury at night you can try and fetch him out that way

. Do you have a picture of the red spots by any chance?

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 09:53 AM

He does eat well. I don't have a pic of the spot as he is always moving so it would be hard to get a clear pic i think. I've thought about that too...waiting to see where he burys himself at night and scooping him up but that would disturb my sand bed and I don't want to hurt him any more then he is but it may be the only way to do it.

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 11:03 AM

anyone else? bump

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 11:50 AM

BUMP

outta names · 01/02/2007, 12:31 PM

I'll second the trap. You can buy fish traps that work real well you just have to be patient. It took a while for my fish to go near it but when they did I caught them all within two days. If you get one just start feeding them in the trap and not trying to catch them I left my trap in the tank for a couple of days before I started trying to catch them. Good luck

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 01:09 PM

okay, i don't have the cash or time to run up to the LFS and buy a new fish trap...any other ideas (Maybe a DIY fish trap)?

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 02:57 PM

BUMP

hesaias · 01/02/2007, 02:58 PM

Hey bro, take a sec and think about this. The fish is in the tank already. Anything he has is already in the water. Chasing him around, which is what you will wind up doing, trust me, will stress everything in the tank out and lower the natrual resistance to disease your fish already have. Kinda like a person who is over worked can catch a cold easier.

If it were me, and the fish is eating, and is behaving normally, I would just chill. Let nature take its course, whatever that may be. If the fish dies, get him out so you don't add nutrients to the tank. There is a good possibility that he will survive and you won't freak the rest of your tanks critters out by trying to catch one of the fish.

Also, if it would make you feel better, do a couple of water changes over the next week. Small ones.

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 03:17 PM

I don't want to freak the rest of the tank inhabitants out, that's why I've not gone in there chasing him about with a net (that and the fact that a net snags on every piece of live rock). I thought about the 2-liter soda bottle type DIY trap or maybe just adding some Rally to my tank. Any thoughts on these two ideas?

RichConley · 01/02/2007, 03:45 PM

If hes eating and acting normally, leave him alone. Catching and QTing is going to do more damage than good. These fish DO have immune systems, and CAN heal.

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 03:54 PM

Would you add any medicine like Rally to help (LFS says it's reef-safe)?

hesaias · 01/02/2007, 03:59 PM

No.

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 04:22 PM

bump

Hugeness · 01/02/2007, 04:23 PM

There are a couple of ways to catch wrasses... but these fish are the fastest lil buggers and are difficult to catch.

I've used two methods successfully.
1. Use a red flashlight, the fish can't see that spectrum... turn off all the lights in the room use the red light and net the lil guy. Every wrasse worth its weight will have a bolt hole though that it will want to run to when in danger... as such netting them even with the red light advantage is tough.

2. Open the top and smack the tank where the wrasse is. It'll jump right out

. This seems mean, but it was a helluva lot more successful for me than chasing that speed demon around the tank.

GL and have fun!

The Saltwater Kid · 01/02/2007, 04:32 PM

Mine is a Yellow Coris Wrasse, at night he burrows under the sand...no bolt hole.

Hugeness · 01/02/2007, 04:46 PM

You're missing the point. I've got several wrasses, and by "bolt hole" I mean this to be a generic term for any old hiding spot under the rock that they feel safe in. Basically, a place u can't reach with your net. My lineatus wrasse has only one spot it will run to when scared, but my ruby margined has four lil safe houses. Where they sleep is irrelevant. The point is that if you chase them with a net unless you can get out from between the rocks or under them, that method will fail.

Good luck.

jpd02 · 01/02/2007, 05:07 PM

I had to remove a lunare wrasse from my tank 6 months ago - I transferred him from my old FO tank into my new FOWLR tank, only to discover he had a ravenous appetite for snails (duh - should have seen that coming). After a while I got sick of replenishing my stock of tank cleaners only to watch him devour them all in a day or two, so I decided he had to go. What I was able to do was to spook him with the aquarium net and get him to go into his favorite "bolt hole", as Hugeness calls it, which was in a particular piece of live rock. I then slowly lifted that piece of liverock out of the tank, and he came right with it. If your wrasse has a particular piece of liverock he likes, this might be something to try. I've also heard that the "guillotine"-style tube traps work - I recently ordered an Ultralife Fish Trap from Marine Depot that I'm going to try out to remove my spotted hawkfish (he used to be a model citizen but lately he's taken it upon himself to kill every new fish I try to add to the tank) - if you want I'll let you know if it works out.

RichConley and hesais have a point too - you may be better off just leaving the fish alone and seeing what happens. My hawkfish I mentioned above somehow lost one of his eyes about 8 months ago - he didn't eat for about a week and was swimming in circles - I thought he was a goner - but he actually ended up recovering and is now frisky as ever - in fact a little too frisky.....

01/02/2007, 08:44 AM	#1
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	How to Catch a Wrasse? Okay, something may be wrong with my Yellow Coris Wrasse. I have posted on what he has (red spot on his side) in the fish disease forum but so far nothing in way of reponses. My question is this, how in the world would i go about catching him without tearing apart my tank and completely stressing out my other 3 fish? Some people say leave him in there and see if he gets better but if he doesn't and passes it along (if possible) to my other fish then I'm really screwed but I have a reef tank so i can't treat my tank with any kind of medication. I've thought about waiting until just after the lights go out and the fish are heading to sleep to see if I can net him then. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 09:47 AM	#2
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	bump __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 09:48 AM	#3
gman0526 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 1,278	Is it eating at all? If it is try and set up some kind of trap for it. Also if you know where it sleeps, they bury at night you can try and fetch him out that way . Do you have a picture of the red spots by any chance? __________________ "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." A.E. Current Tank Info: 75 G BB tank

01/02/2007, 09:53 AM	#4
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	He does eat well. I don't have a pic of the spot as he is always moving so it would be hard to get a clear pic i think. I've thought about that too...waiting to see where he burys himself at night and scooping him up but that would disturb my sand bed and I don't want to hurt him any more then he is but it may be the only way to do it. __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 11:03 AM	#5
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	anyone else? bump __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 11:50 AM	#6
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	BUMP __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 12:31 PM	#7
outta names Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 360	I'll second the trap. You can buy fish traps that work real well you just have to be patient. It took a while for my fish to go near it but when they did I caught them all within two days. If you get one just start feeding them in the trap and not trying to catch them I left my trap in the tank for a couple of days before I started trying to catch them. Good luck

01/02/2007, 01:09 PM	#8
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	okay, i don't have the cash or time to run up to the LFS and buy a new fish trap...any other ideas (Maybe a DIY fish trap)? __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 02:57 PM	#9
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	BUMP __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 02:58 PM	#10
hesaias Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Under the peach Posts: 2,392	Hey bro, take a sec and think about this. The fish is in the tank already. Anything he has is already in the water. Chasing him around, which is what you will wind up doing, trust me, will stress everything in the tank out and lower the natrual resistance to disease your fish already have. Kinda like a person who is over worked can catch a cold easier. If it were me, and the fish is eating, and is behaving normally, I would just chill. Let nature take its course, whatever that may be. If the fish dies, get him out so you don't add nutrients to the tank. There is a good possibility that he will survive and you won't freak the rest of your tanks critters out by trying to catch one of the fish. Also, if it would make you feel better, do a couple of water changes over the next week. Small ones. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: 58 gallon FOWLR

01/02/2007, 03:17 PM	#11
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	I don't want to freak the rest of the tank inhabitants out, that's why I've not gone in there chasing him about with a net (that and the fact that a net snags on every piece of live rock). I thought about the 2-liter soda bottle type DIY trap or maybe just adding some Rally to my tank. Any thoughts on these two ideas? __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 03:45 PM	#12
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	If hes eating and acting normally, leave him alone. Catching and QTing is going to do more damage than good. These fish DO have immune systems, and CAN heal. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

01/02/2007, 03:54 PM	#13
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Would you add any medicine like Rally to help (LFS says it's reef-safe)? __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 03:59 PM	#14
hesaias Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Under the peach Posts: 2,392	No. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: 58 gallon FOWLR

01/02/2007, 04:22 PM	#15
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	bump __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 04:23 PM	#16
Hugeness Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Right behind you! Posts: 92	There are a couple of ways to catch wrasses... but these fish are the fastest lil buggers and are difficult to catch. I've used two methods successfully. 1. Use a red flashlight, the fish can't see that spectrum... turn off all the lights in the room use the red light and net the lil guy. Every wrasse worth its weight will have a bolt hole though that it will want to run to when in danger... as such netting them even with the red light advantage is tough. 2. Open the top and smack the tank where the wrasse is. It'll jump right out . This seems mean, but it was a helluva lot more successful for me than chasing that speed demon around the tank. GL and have fun!

01/02/2007, 04:32 PM	#17
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Mine is a Yellow Coris Wrasse, at night he burrows under the sand...no bolt hole. __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

01/02/2007, 04:46 PM	#18
Hugeness Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Right behind you! Posts: 92	You're missing the point. I've got several wrasses, and by "bolt hole" I mean this to be a generic term for any old hiding spot under the rock that they feel safe in. Basically, a place u can't reach with your net. My lineatus wrasse has only one spot it will run to when scared, but my ruby margined has four lil safe houses. Where they sleep is irrelevant. The point is that if you chase them with a net unless you can get out from between the rocks or under them, that method will fail. Good luck.

01/02/2007, 05:07 PM	#19
jpd02 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 52	I had to remove a lunare wrasse from my tank 6 months ago - I transferred him from my old FO tank into my new FOWLR tank, only to discover he had a ravenous appetite for snails (duh - should have seen that coming). After a while I got sick of replenishing my stock of tank cleaners only to watch him devour them all in a day or two, so I decided he had to go. What I was able to do was to spook him with the aquarium net and get him to go into his favorite "bolt hole", as Hugeness calls it, which was in a particular piece of live rock. I then slowly lifted that piece of liverock out of the tank, and he came right with it. If your wrasse has a particular piece of liverock he likes, this might be something to try. I've also heard that the "guillotine"-style tube traps work - I recently ordered an Ultralife Fish Trap from Marine Depot that I'm going to try out to remove my spotted hawkfish (he used to be a model citizen but lately he's taken it upon himself to kill every new fish I try to add to the tank) - if you want I'll let you know if it works out. RichConley and hesais have a point too - you may be better off just leaving the fish alone and seeing what happens. My hawkfish I mentioned above somehow lost one of his eyes about 8 months ago - he didn't eat for about a week and was swimming in circles - I thought he was a goner - but he actually ended up recovering and is now frisky as ever - in fact a little too frisky.....