Trapping Rabbitfish

jansreef · 10/04/2006, 08:19 AM

I have a rabbitfish that has gotten so big I need to take him out. Anyone have any ideas how to trap him or......My husband, who does not quite understand my reef tank obsession, suggested I HARPOON HIM.....I don't think I want to do that...

bureau13 · 10/04/2006, 08:46 AM

Just be careful he doesn't harpoon YOU. Those spines are toxic, as I'm sure you know...

jds

jansreef · 10/05/2006, 04:40 PM

I'm really careful even clipping seaweed in there, but need help, please, somebody

Sk8r · 10/05/2006, 04:48 PM

Get the over-the-elbow gloves. Get a pair of leather gloves. Put the leather gloves on, put on the over the elbow gloves, and get a friend to hold a strong light where it helps.

Go in after him with a really big net. The gloves are in case of accident, collision, or the need to move a rock. With them, you can wave him into a corner with impunity, or at least less worry.

You need a bucket to receive him, and saltwater prepared. He'll go camo and press himself against a rock: this is how most people get stung.

If you do get stung, the result is about like a fiddleback spider bite: local necrosis, best treated with, I believe, the same thing: one of those Medrol packs and some antibiotic. Go immediately to your emergency room and refer them to fiddlebacks. It works by shutting down the blood supply to the area of the bite/sting, hence the necrosis [dying] of tissue and often subsequent infection. Been there, done that, at least with spiders.

Good luck, hth. Keep a cool head and move with deliberation, never in haste with that fellow: he tires easily.

jansreef · 10/06/2006, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the help. I do have a pair of those gloves that come up to my armpit but I think maybe I'll just let it go for now. Thanks again for the help.

10/04/2006, 08:19 AM	#1
jansreef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 19	Trapping Rabbitfish I have a rabbitfish that has gotten so big I need to take him out. Anyone have any ideas how to trap him or......My husband, who does not quite understand my reef tank obsession, suggested I HARPOON HIM.....I don't think I want to do that...

10/05/2006, 04:48 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Get the over-the-elbow gloves. Get a pair of leather gloves. Put the leather gloves on, put on the over the elbow gloves, and get a friend to hold a strong light where it helps. Go in after him with a really big net. The gloves are in case of accident, collision, or the need to move a rock. With them, you can wave him into a corner with impunity, or at least less worry. You need a bucket to receive him, and saltwater prepared. He'll go camo and press himself against a rock: this is how most people get stung. If you do get stung, the result is about like a fiddleback spider bite: local necrosis, best treated with, I believe, the same thing: one of those Medrol packs and some antibiotic. Go immediately to your emergency room and refer them to fiddlebacks. It works by shutting down the blood supply to the area of the bite/sting, hence the necrosis [dying] of tissue and often subsequent infection. Been there, done that, at least with spiders. Good luck, hth. Keep a cool head and move with deliberation, never in haste with that fellow: he tires easily. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/04/2006, 08:46 AM	#2
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	Just be careful he doesn't harpoon YOU. Those spines are toxic, as I'm sure you know... jds

10/05/2006, 04:40 PM	#3
jansreef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 19	I'm really careful even clipping seaweed in there, but need help, please, somebody

10/06/2006, 01:56 PM	#5
jansreef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 19	Thanks for the help. I do have a pair of those gloves that come up to my armpit but I think maybe I'll just let it go for now. Thanks again for the help.