How to capture/catch clownfish in a tank - Page 3

ReeferJones · 07/01/2005, 08:13 PM

I was able to get my bully, clarkii finally after 3 days using a trap made from a water bottle and fishing line. laid the bottle horizontal in the tank with food in it for a couple days. just about all my fish wandered in there at one time or another, and when the clown came in, I just yanked the string.

Green Thumb · 07/19/2005, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ReeferJones
I was able to get my bully, clarkii finally after 3 days using a trap made from a water bottle and fishing line. laid the bottle horizontal in the tank with food in it for a couple days. just about all my fish wandered in there at one time or another, and when the clown came in, I just yanked the string.

Thats a good one.

goalieman92 · 07/31/2005, 02:13 PM

use a home made fish trap.(for larger clowns use a gatorade bottle.

all of you reef tank owners know that if you have to remove a fish for whatever reason, you can't use a net because it will get snagged on live rock or a piece of coral. your solution is a fish trap. im going to tell you how to make one.

1. Drink a bottle of spring water.
2. Using a razor blade or ultility knife cut bottle top off at the first ring.
3. Remove lables.
4. Turn top so that the mouth is pointed in.
5. Insert top.
6. Place bait inside.(I use freeze dried brine)
7. Fill with water.( make sure there is no air in it, if so just squeze sides)
8. Wait.

there isn't really a need to wait. once a fish,crab,shrimp is in, it won't be able to find its way out. But if a luckey one finds its way out of the hole it will come back for the food.I tested this on my cleaner shrimp. within seconds he was in it, he ate a little bit of brine and went back out, but Scampi(my shrimp) is very smart.

brad23 · 10/17/2005, 02:52 PM

my false perc isn't scared of the net he comes out to attack it and my hand.

nuddybuddy · 12/29/2005, 07:50 PM

good info

darcitananda · 01/20/2006, 03:49 PM

My problem with catching clowns is that when I'm trying to catch another fish, the clowns swim right into the net or bowl!

Food is usually a good way to lure fish out.

Poorcollegereef · 01/31/2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by darcitananda
My problem with catching clowns is that when I'm trying to catch another fish, the clowns swim right into the net or bowl!

Food is usually a good way to lure fish out.

Yeah, I move alot so I can take apart my 20 gal in less than an hour. Most of it goes into giant coleman coolers including my clowns. I trick them with food and since I hand feed them it is easy. I open up a ziploc bag underwater with one had and the feed the clowns with the other. I can sneak up below them quiet easily. And if they are being really difficult, i remove the live rock and drain most of the water out. then it's really easy.

Ken-21 · 05/06/2006, 05:29 AM

I've had my clowns for about 5 years. I've had to take them out of the tank a few times and they don't really mind it. I put my hand in the tank and they swim right into it. (I think I need to spend less time with my fish!)

NCreefwannabe · 05/27/2006, 12:11 AM

haha. yeah my clowns hate the net. they run and hide if they even see it outside the tank lol. BUT, they are hardcore sleepers. I usually just reach in and grab them if needed.

YeahitsK · 06/23/2006, 01:04 PM

Ok newbie question then. If nets are bad for the fish, how do you add fish to your tank and not introduce LFS water after the acclimating process?

jowgafist · 07/11/2006, 01:16 PM

Roll up sleeve...Take 2 to 3 deep breaths...and "GRAB!" the fish out of the water with hand. That's how I do it and that's how Chuck Norris does it

lol

CHUCK NORRIS FACTS

expertreefer · 07/12/2006, 05:51 PM

whenever i need to move my clowns i just pick up the little rock that their host anemone is on and they just follow. love working with these silly little clowns.

Ryanqk · 09/07/2006, 06:34 PM

free pajama cardinal to anyone who can catch him!

Morphieus5150 · 09/11/2006, 10:35 PM

Took me 3 days to catch my Maroon Clown..I finally had to put the lta she was trying to Kill into the fish trap...After an hour or so she just couldn't take it anymore and went in..
Ps.. She was ****ed when i dropped the door on the trap,. Lol.

reefarmer · 09/14/2006, 12:38 PM

my sons'clown was lost for days and we thought maybe the new carpet anenome got him since he didnt quite acclimate himself yet, today my younger son noticed him in the back chamber of the tank hooray!!!!put his hand in and the fish just let himself be picked up , it was obvious he missed his LTA! happy ending!

Flamehawk365 · 10/09/2006, 07:21 PM

I have never been able to catch a fish in the net. As its been said... it tends to get snagged on the rock and/or my fish just are too smart.

I have been very successful at catching my fish in the wee hours of the morning. When the lights have been off and the fish are resting.

But even then... I can only catch them with a clear container of some kind and LOTS of patience.

I did have two clarkii fish. They used to always swim and stay together. I noticed the one fish getting bigger while the other grew very slowly. The bigger Clarkie turned on the little Clarkii... beat it up badly.. bite marks all over. The little Clarkii couldn't fight back. I had to take it out of the tank. Made my 10 gallon hospital tank into the little Clarkii's reef tank.

It was the only time the fish jumped into my hands... to help him out of the tank.

Kathy55g · 10/15/2006, 10:39 PM

I am breeding clownfish, and when they are big enough to leave home, I just use a plastic shoebox to scoop them out of their tank. I then float the box in the tank, and then hand catch individuals as J H says, decide if they are going or staying, and place them back in water, either the grow out tank, or the transport bucket.

For the QT (and other fish) I used a clear glass jar arranged with some disposable rocks into a cave. This was available for the whole Q period. The fish liked to hide in the jar, so when it was time to move them, I got them into hiding and slipped a plastic lid over the opening of the jar and lifted them right out. Coral beauty and firefish in one neat package.

Lishoop6 · 11/10/2006, 10:32 PM

another way is to get a tube a bit bigger than length of fish wanted for questioning and simplely get in a corner siphon out

clownfish-god · 11/25/2006, 02:21 AM

isn't their traps that can be purchased?

cubman20 · 01/13/2007, 05:58 PM

Mine are so active i just put a cup with food in it and they swim right in.

Qxsilver01 · 01/15/2007, 11:12 PM

Another great reason on why to not use the net on fish in general, (since we're on the clownfish subject, Maroon Clowns) is the fishes operculum tends to get caught in the net, and tangle it a bit.

shiftyfatdwarf · 02/24/2007, 04:27 PM

never had much trouble catching them. i agree with chipmunk they just dive right in

tpdpercula · 03/01/2007, 03:55 PM

All my clowns are well trained and all I have to do is blow the dog whistle and they do tricks (i.e. play fetch, jump through hoops, etc). I have also had great success with turning off the pumps/powerheads, and placing the net in the water and feeding. They begin to feed and are netted without harm. : )

the nemo guy · 03/03/2007, 04:41 PM

thanks for the help, came in handy didnt kno how to catch my maroon clown

KURTIS T · 03/09/2007, 01:53 PM

two tomato's started causing problems in my tank. I caught one with the sleeping attack.....had to pull the tank appart to get the other clown and it's 2 blue damsel buddies

10/17/2005, 02:52 PM	#54
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	my false perc isn't scared of the net he comes out to attack it and my hand. __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

01/20/2006, 03:49 PM	#56
darcitananda Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Oakland Posts: 586	My problem with catching clowns is that when I'm trying to catch another fish, the clowns swim right into the net or bowl! Food is usually a good way to lure fish out. __________________ Remember, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Current Tank Info: 20g nano, 150w HQI, mostly softies

07/12/2006, 05:51 PM	#62
expertreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tucson Posts: 7	whenever i need to move my clowns i just pick up the little rock that their host anemone is on and they just follow. love working with these silly little clowns. __________________ everyone knows the most in thier own eyes. Current Tank Info: 20gal. ha ha ha

09/07/2006, 06:34 PM	#63
Ryanqk Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,381	free pajama cardinal to anyone who can catch him! __________________ MOM! I'm God Of The Sea People! Behold my tiny minions gloveling at my likeness! Current Tank Info: 75gl display, 20gl long fuge, CPR overflow, Octopuss NW150 skimmer, 4 x 110w VHO T12's and supplemental actinic, ongoing projects...

11/10/2006, 10:32 PM	#68
Lishoop6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: earth Posts: 785	another way is to get a tube a bit bigger than length of fish wanted for questioning and simplely get in a corner siphon out __________________ love it hate your still addicted to it

07/01/2005, 08:13 PM	#51
ReeferJones Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 197	I was able to get my bully, clarkii finally after 3 days using a trap made from a water bottle and fishing line. laid the bottle horizontal in the tank with food in it for a couple days. just about all my fish wandered in there at one time or another, and when the clown came in, I just yanked the string.

07/31/2005, 02:13 PM	#53
goalieman92 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Castle,Pa Posts: 484	use a home made fish trap.(for larger clowns use a gatorade bottle. all of you reef tank owners know that if you have to remove a fish for whatever reason, you can't use a net because it will get snagged on live rock or a piece of coral. your solution is a fish trap. im going to tell you how to make one. 1. Drink a bottle of spring water. 2. Using a razor blade or ultility knife cut bottle top off at the first ring. 3. Remove lables. 4. Turn top so that the mouth is pointed in. 5. Insert top. 6. Place bait inside.(I use freeze dried brine) 7. Fill with water.( make sure there is no air in it, if so just squeze sides) 8. Wait. there isn't really a need to wait. once a fish,crab,shrimp is in, it won't be able to find its way out. But if a luckey one finds its way out of the hole it will come back for the food.I tested this on my cleaner shrimp. within seconds he was in it, he ate a little bit of brine and went back out, but Scampi(my shrimp) is very smart.

12/29/2005, 07:50 PM	#55
nuddybuddy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: central kansas Posts: 56	good info

05/06/2006, 05:29 AM	#58
Ken-21 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: On the edge of sanity Posts: 140	I've had my clowns for about 5 years. I've had to take them out of the tank a few times and they don't really mind it. I put my hand in the tank and they swim right into it. (I think I need to spend less time with my fish!)

05/27/2006, 12:11 AM	#59
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	haha. yeah my clowns hate the net. they run and hide if they even see it outside the tank lol. BUT, they are hardcore sleepers. I usually just reach in and grab them if needed.

06/23/2006, 01:04 PM	#60
YeahitsK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 90	Ok newbie question then. If nets are bad for the fish, how do you add fish to your tank and not introduce LFS water after the acclimating process?

07/11/2006, 01:16 PM	#61
jowgafist Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 2	Roll up sleeve...Take 2 to 3 deep breaths...and "GRAB!" the fish out of the water with hand. That's how I do it and that's how Chuck Norris does it lol CHUCK NORRIS FACTS

09/11/2006, 10:35 PM	#64
Morphieus5150 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 50	Took me 3 days to catch my Maroon Clown..I finally had to put the lta she was trying to Kill into the fish trap...After an hour or so she just couldn't take it anymore and went in.. Ps.. She was ****ed when i dropped the door on the trap,. Lol.

09/14/2006, 12:38 PM	#65
reefarmer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: gilbert,az Posts: 52	my sons'clown was lost for days and we thought maybe the new carpet anenome got him since he didnt quite acclimate himself yet, today my younger son noticed him in the back chamber of the tank hooray!!!!put his hand in and the fish just let himself be picked up , it was obvious he missed his LTA! happy ending!

10/09/2006, 07:21 PM	#66
Flamehawk365 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 90	I have never been able to catch a fish in the net. As its been said... it tends to get snagged on the rock and/or my fish just are too smart. I have been very successful at catching my fish in the wee hours of the morning. When the lights have been off and the fish are resting. But even then... I can only catch them with a clear container of some kind and LOTS of patience. I did have two clarkii fish. They used to always swim and stay together. I noticed the one fish getting bigger while the other grew very slowly. The bigger Clarkie turned on the little Clarkii... beat it up badly.. bite marks all over. The little Clarkii couldn't fight back. I had to take it out of the tank. Made my 10 gallon hospital tank into the little Clarkii's reef tank. It was the only time the fish jumped into my hands... to help him out of the tank.

10/15/2006, 10:39 PM	#67
Kathy55g Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,249	I am breeding clownfish, and when they are big enough to leave home, I just use a plastic shoebox to scoop them out of their tank. I then float the box in the tank, and then hand catch individuals as J H says, decide if they are going or staying, and place them back in water, either the grow out tank, or the transport bucket. For the QT (and other fish) I used a clear glass jar arranged with some disposable rocks into a cave. This was available for the whole Q period. The fish liked to hide in the jar, so when it was time to move them, I got them into hiding and slipped a plastic lid over the opening of the jar and lifted them right out. Coral beauty and firefish in one neat package.

11/25/2006, 02:21 AM	#69
clownfish-god Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 42	isn't their traps that can be purchased?

01/13/2007, 05:58 PM	#70
cubman20 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: tinley park il Posts: 710	Mine are so active i just put a cup with food in it and they swim right in.

01/15/2007, 11:12 PM	#71
Qxsilver01 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 21	Another great reason on why to not use the net on fish in general, (since we're on the clownfish subject, Maroon Clowns) is the fishes operculum tends to get caught in the net, and tangle it a bit.

02/24/2007, 04:27 PM	#72
shiftyfatdwarf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: newark, ohio Posts: 53	never had much trouble catching them. i agree with chipmunk they just dive right in

03/01/2007, 03:55 PM	#73
tpdpercula Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Death Star Posts: 1,205	All my clowns are well trained and all I have to do is blow the dog whistle and they do tricks (i.e. play fetch, jump through hoops, etc). I have also had great success with turning off the pumps/powerheads, and placing the net in the water and feeding. They begin to feed and are netted without harm. : ) __________________ If I would have spent the money that was used on corals, fish, etc. My mortgage would be paid for already!!!! Current Tank Info: 210g Mixed Reef tank, (2) 60g frag tanks (containing a Sohal in one & Naso in the other along with breeding pairs of True Percs, 40g frag tank w/Pair of Picassos, 24 Nano w/ breeding pair of True Percs and 24 Nano Mixed Reef w/pair of Ocellaris

03/03/2007, 04:41 PM	#74
the nemo guy Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: So Fla Posts: 24	thanks for the help, came in handy didnt kno how to catch my maroon clown

03/09/2007, 01:53 PM	#75
KURTIS T Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: san jose, ca. Posts: 48	two tomato's started causing problems in my tank. I caught one with the sleeping attack.....had to pull the tank appart to get the other clown and it's 2 blue damsel buddies