Removing fish from display tank

Topdog8327 · 11/08/2015, 09:05 PM

Hey everyone i have been trying to catch a coral beauty in my display reef tank. I am just trying to relocate him to another tank but with all the rock work I'm starting to think it is impossible lol. I have tried the two net approach. So I was just seeing if anyone has any suggestions on DIY fish traps or any other easier approaches anyone might have in mined. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

o2manyfish · 11/08/2015, 10:49 PM

I bought a large glass trap box from Foster's Smith. I wanted to catch some Ugly damsels I had added to my tank. With 100+ fish in the tank, I had the chance to catch about 1/2 the fish with the trap. I had to leave it floating in the tank for several days so the fish got use to it. And then I started putting frozen foods into the trap.

Once the trap was a regular item, in the tank I caught 4 out of 6 of the bad damsels in 24 hours.

Granted a coral beauty angel is not the same type of open water swimmer, but several of my angels had no problems going in for food.

Dave B

vinhle00 · 11/09/2015, 02:45 AM

Have you tried the coke bottle trap? cut the top half and put it reverse in the body. You might also want to cut the entrance area bigger and put some good food inside then place the bottle trap near his favorite spot.

TangingOut · 11/09/2015, 03:04 AM

See if there's an LFS near you that rents/loans out fish traps if you don't want to buy one. I own one and they work great, but like Dave said it'll need to be in the tank for a day or two before fishes are brave enough to eat out of it.

Mark9 · 11/10/2015, 05:17 PM

I caught my rogue coral Beaty using the aqua medic fish trap.
Took about 5 days for him to venture in.
I also put some corals in it, the ones he was nipping.
Get a trap, feed only in the trap, you'll get him.

big mamma · 11/10/2015, 05:29 PM

aqua medic trap

Waters40 · 11/12/2015, 01:54 PM

I have tried acrylic traps which do work if you are patient. The easiest way I have ever caught fish is to use the lights on method. Wait until the tank has been in complete darkness for several hours, then turn on the room and aquarium lights. The fish are startled and don't move almost to the point that you can grab them with your hands. This will only work if you know where the fish "sleeps" though.

11/08/2015, 09:05 PM	#1
Topdog8327 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Boston Posts: 1	Removing fish from display tank Hey everyone i have been trying to catch a coral beauty in my display reef tank. I am just trying to relocate him to another tank but with all the rock work I'm starting to think it is impossible lol. I have tried the two net approach. So I was just seeing if anyone has any suggestions on DIY fish traps or any other easier approaches anyone might have in mined. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

11/08/2015, 10:49 PM	#2
o2manyfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Encino, CA Posts: 6,199	I bought a large glass trap box from Foster's Smith. I wanted to catch some Ugly damsels I had added to my tank. With 100+ fish in the tank, I had the chance to catch about 1/2 the fish with the trap. I had to leave it floating in the tank for several days so the fish got use to it. And then I started putting frozen foods into the trap. Once the trap was a regular item, in the tank I caught 4 out of 6 of the bad damsels in 24 hours. Granted a coral beauty angel is not the same type of open water swimmer, but several of my angels had no problems going in for food. Dave B __________________ 560g Display. 1500g System Volume. (2) 180g Outdoor Frag Tanks. 340g Sump, 30g 2 story surge tank. Dasatco EXT 9. Bubble King Skimmer. Ozone. UV. 5' Fluidized Sand Filter. Avast Kalk Mixer. Current Tank Info: 560g SPS Dominant Reef / 1500g Total System

11/09/2015, 02:45 AM	#3
vinhle00 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 201	Have you tried the coke bottle trap? cut the top half and put it reverse in the body. You might also want to cut the entrance area bigger and put some good food inside then place the bottle trap near his favorite spot.

11/09/2015, 03:04 AM	#4
TangingOut Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,511	See if there's an LFS near you that rents/loans out fish traps if you don't want to buy one. I own one and they work great, but like Dave said it'll need to be in the tank for a day or two before fishes are brave enough to eat out of it.

11/10/2015, 05:17 PM	#5
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	I caught my rogue coral Beaty using the aqua medic fish trap. Took about 5 days for him to venture in. I also put some corals in it, the ones he was nipping. Get a trap, feed only in the trap, you'll get him.

11/10/2015, 05:29 PM	#6
big mamma Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: west chester pa Posts: 137	aqua medic trap

11/12/2015, 01:54 PM	#7
Waters40 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 299	I have tried acrylic traps which do work if you are patient. The easiest way I have ever caught fish is to use the lights on method. Wait until the tank has been in complete darkness for several hours, then turn on the room and aquarium lights. The fish are startled and don't move almost to the point that you can grab them with your hands. This will only work if you know where the fish "sleeps" though.