Catching the fish without stressing

KrisDM · 08/30/2013, 08:51 PM

I have a hard time catching the fish in the tank without stressing the fishes.
Any tips or tricks to avoid stress on the fishes & coral while catching the fish in the tank is appreciated! Thanks

Almondsaz · 08/30/2013, 08:53 PM

The only trick I know other than taking out all your LR, is using multiple nets - lets you box them in quickly. There is always going to be some level of stress when you are chasing them around the tank to capture them.

smartwater101 · 08/30/2013, 11:04 PM

here is a great thread with lots of options
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=707656

The drain method seems to work best (for me) but I've had success with a container and bag as well.

BrownParticles · 08/31/2013, 02:46 AM

Only way for me, is to take out live rock. Alternatively, I have made an acrylic trap and that has worked for me.

Whiterabbitrage · 08/31/2013, 03:33 AM

Red nets help too. Fish can't see red. I usually end up scooping them into plastic bags.

cloak · 08/31/2013, 09:20 AM

How big is your tank? The High & Dry method outlined in this link and the one above has always worked out well for me.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/sp/index.php

MrTuskfish · 08/31/2013, 12:31 PM

A healthy fish isn't going to be hurt by capture. IMO, "stress" is the most over-used word in the hobby. I've captuired and moved fish in my tanks literally hundreds of times, never remember it hurting any fish at all. Staying alive on a reef isn't "stressful'?

MrTuskfish · 08/31/2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiterabbitrage

Red nets help too. Fish can't see red. I usually end up scooping them into plastic bags.

I know the CW says fish can't see red. But red tarpon flies are (by far) the color of choice and have been for many years. Marlin teasers are often red and 3 of the 4 biggest bonefish I've caught on flies were on a pattern of fly that is 90% red. I've also caught 3 permit over 12 lbs (bragging now) on the same predominately red fly pattern. I don't like doing research anymore; but doesn't the inability of fish to see red something that comes on with increasing water depth? There sure is a lot of red in fish, like flasher wrasses, where displaying colors is a big part of the mating game. Just a question, I don't know; but someone on RC will save me the Google time.

KrisDM · 08/31/2013, 03:38 PM

Thanks for the input guys, appreciate it!

I have 300 g 8' long tank. My Sailfin tang got rogue on me and have to get him out of there. When I am trying catching him, he knocks all the hard coral frags, or worst break them. Taking out the live rock is not an option for me.

I am going to try one method after another to get him out.

Craigdillman · 08/31/2013, 03:42 PM

Try at night most fish calm down and some sleep in the same spot so a quick net at night could work

i_am_poor · 09/01/2013, 09:07 AM

Using is trap is always fun

hossa81 · 09/01/2013, 09:18 AM

The easiest way for me is to put some food on a stick or algae on an algae clip. When they go after the food, net 'em. May nitbe the best way but it definitely works.

08/30/2013, 08:51 PM	#1
KrisDM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 51	Catching the fish without stressing I have a hard time catching the fish in the tank without stressing the fishes. Any tips or tricks to avoid stress on the fishes & coral while catching the fish in the tank is appreciated! Thanks

08/30/2013, 11:04 PM	#3
smartwater101 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 382	here is a great thread with lots of options http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=707656 The drain method seems to work best (for me) but I've had success with a container and bag as well. __________________ 160 mixed reef: Hippo tang, Foxface, clownfish, 25+ nano gobies/blennies/cardinals

08/31/2013, 03:33 AM	#5
Whiterabbitrage Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,338 Blog Entries: 1	Red nets help too. Fish can't see red. I usually end up scooping them into plastic bags. __________________ ~Morgan Current Tank Info: 150 gall, 30 gall sump; 30 gall refugium

08/31/2013, 12:31 PM	#7
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	A healthy fish isn't going to be hurt by capture. IMO, "stress" is the most over-used word in the hobby. I've captuired and moved fish in my tanks literally hundreds of times, never remember it hurting any fish at all. Staying alive on a reef isn't "stressful'? __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

08/31/2013, 03:42 PM	#10
Craigdillman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lethbirdge Posts: 487	Try at night most fish calm down and some sleep in the same spot so a quick net at night could work __________________ Current tank---125 gallon mixed reef 60 gallon sump, Reef octopus nw200 skimmer, Rapid LEDs, Maxspec gyre, Mp10s, Fuge, Biweekly 20% WC, QT everything

08/30/2013, 08:53 PM	#2
Almondsaz Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: OP, Ks Posts: 617	The only trick I know other than taking out all your LR, is using multiple nets - lets you box them in quickly. There is always going to be some level of stress when you are chasing them around the tank to capture them.

08/31/2013, 02:46 AM	#4
BrownParticles Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 33	Only way for me, is to take out live rock. Alternatively, I have made an acrylic trap and that has worked for me.

08/31/2013, 09:20 AM	#6
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	How big is your tank? The High & Dry method outlined in this link and the one above has always worked out well for me. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/sp/index.php

08/31/2013, 03:38 PM	#9
KrisDM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 51	Thanks for the input guys, appreciate it! I have 300 g 8' long tank. My Sailfin tang got rogue on me and have to get him out of there. When I am trying catching him, he knocks all the hard coral frags, or worst break them. Taking out the live rock is not an option for me. I am going to try one method after another to get him out.

09/01/2013, 09:07 AM	#11
i_am_poor Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 131	Using is trap is always fun

09/01/2013, 09:18 AM	#12
hossa81 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Geneva,IL Posts: 900	The easiest way for me is to put some food on a stick or algae on an algae clip. When they go after the food, net 'em. May nitbe the best way but it definitely works. __________________ Enjoy life, there's plenty of time to be dead. Current Tank Info: 180 FOWLR, 29 BioCube