How to capture/catch clownfish in a tank - Page 5

Tinkanator2000 · 01/06/2009, 09:58 AM

the info in this thread helped me catch my clown in no time, thanks

atsirhc · 02/06/2009, 04:56 PM

some good tips. Thanks!

RedClay · 03/28/2009, 05:02 PM

I have a misbar black ocellaris that recently jumped into my overflow (built in). Space was tight, but 15 minutes and a fine mesh net had him back in the tank safe and healthy!

Reefy Fishy · 04/27/2009, 04:08 AM

I would put hungry lion fish in the tank. Look carefully until lion fish eats the clown fish. Then take them out and quickly rescue the little one. The timing is everything... lol

MikeFisher1972 · 05/07/2009, 07:51 AM

i have one i cant catch.
i was gona take my kids fishing pole and get him.
no i will probly take most of my 250lbs of rock out and catch him.
i think it would be ezer to use the fishing pole but i like him.

DeathWish302 · 05/16/2009, 03:50 PM

All I can say is Cyclopeeze after a 24hour fasting and ANY clown will come out of hiding disregarding any unfamilar objects in the tank ~clear containers & nets.

pamlee78 · 06/11/2009, 10:06 PM

Thanks for the info! I guess I have one of the fast ones. I tried your technique for catching at night, but it didn't work the first attempt. I really don't have much room to maneuver a container in a 40Gal.
I want to put the clown in his own 40Gal tank with a small anemone and live rock, so I guess I'll have to be more clever to catch him. LOL!!

aquaph8 · 06/27/2009, 11:28 PM

my clown bites me so often, I could probably catch him with my hand

pamlee78 · 06/28/2009, 12:37 PM

I finally had to take out most of my LR to catch him, but I was in the process of moving the LR into another tank anyway.
I decided to add a Mandarin fish in the one tank and maybe Seahorses in the other eventually. I set up a 10 gal Pod tank too. All along with my Discus tank, 3 dogs, 2 birds and a horse - I am a VERY busy lady!

nflores · 07/02/2009, 11:27 PM

I can usually net these guys but for the feisty ones I've boxed them into one side of the tank with a clear piece of plastic. The plastic is invisible under water and it gives you a smaller, rock-free space to work in. Those clear disposable paint tray liners from Lowes work great.

GrimReefer82 · 07/14/2009, 12:31 AM

I just caught my maroon clown....I waited until he was relaxed after the lights had been off a few hours. I had a little LED flashlight and while he was in the anemone I shined it right in his eyes for a min and then snatched him up with the light in his face. A few seconds and it was over. Hes now in the sump and doesn't appear to have any vision damage. I don't think it was bright enough to do permenant damage.

Can't figure out how to catch the clown tang tho.

vaporize · 08/11/2009, 09:19 PM

Not sure if somebody has mentioned it but using Calfo's method of draining the whole tank.

I didn't believe him before but once I tried it once, I am a believer.

I completely drained a 120G and filled it back up, catching a stubborn skunk clownfish in less than an hour. No corals or fish is harmed in the process.

seababy · 11/20/2009, 09:46 PM

I totally agree with J Hartman

Careful not to scare your fish to death with a night time attack! Some species of clownfish are very prone to night time scares and wild runs and jumps that could lead to their death.

Using evil nets!

I do not recommend using nets to catch clownfish. Clownfish are very visual fish with excellent eye sight. Having a large "thing" chasing them around a tank can cause a great deal of stress. I have even seen fish die shortly after netting them. I avoid them and the only ones I own are for straining brine shrimp.

NEVER EVER use a net on a maroon clownfish! Maroons have cheek spines that can easily be caught in the netting and result in very bad, even deadly damage to the fish.

ju66alo6 · 11/28/2009, 12:43 AM

My clown is so mean when he bites you he can and has many many time brought blood to my hand. I have always used a net to catch mine when he sees the net he runs to it and swims right into the net and starts trin to bite it, i simply move net against side of tank let the wife hold the net and i do what i have to. then i have to phisically dump him out of the net cause he wont get out of it.

vwmike · 12/01/2009, 12:36 PM

Very informative, great article. I'm still having a heck of a time capturing mine due to all the caves in my live rock.

jefferino · 12/13/2009, 12:23 PM

The clear container trick works great.

GP · 12/18/2009, 02:03 PM

I had a hell of a time catching my tomato clown last night. I had to basically uproot all of the live rock (in a 200 gallon) remove some from the tank completely and finally after 2 hrs. i was able to corner him on the glass. I will not do this again.

Henryreef · 12/21/2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefferino

The clear container trick works great.

That one worked for me too... Great thread with lots of info!

pimpman75 · 12/25/2009, 11:20 AM

put food in a clear 2 liter coke bottle with the top cut out attached to string. when u see him go get the food pull the string and pull him out! works like a charm

ecureefer · 01/01/2010, 04:51 PM

Since i can hand feed mine when i sold my last pair i just put the net in and held the flake food near the top and when they swam to the food i just lifted the net i havent tried it lately since i dont plann on gettin rid of any of my fish no time soon

Aqua_boy · 01/06/2010, 02:01 AM

Thanks for the information.......

Chasmike · 01/07/2010, 12:19 PM

Good advice.

deangelr · 01/17/2010, 09:38 AM

I have even thought of trying to catch him with a small barbless flyhook !!!!

that actually works quite well.. Im sure a most would never say to do that.. I have personally seen many fish caught and unharmed this way in the aquarium.

Fishinboy84 · 03/14/2010, 01:54 PM

this makes a hard job easy.
thanks

graysmurf · 04/23/2010, 01:41 PM

I use a container to catch fish from my quarantine tank but its a little trickier when there are rocks where the fish can hide. My clowns are pretty agressive and easy to catch though. I normally just put food on the surface and they come right up, then i can net them. They seemed unfaced by the net.

05/07/2009, 07:51 AM	#105
MikeFisher1972 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jacksonville NC Posts: 151	haha i have one i cant catch. i was gona take my kids fishing pole and get him. no i will probly take most of my 250lbs of rock out and catch him. i think it would be ezer to use the fishing pole but i like him. __________________ President of Jacksonville Reef Keepers. Current Tank Info: 300gStarfire and a 8 foot monster

05/16/2009, 03:50 PM	#106
DeathWish302 Clown Hoarder Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wixom, MI Posts: 1,603	All I can say is Cyclopeeze after a 24hour fasting and ANY clown will come out of hiding disregarding any unfamilar objects in the tank ~clear containers & nets. __________________ -Frank Save 'Wild' Nemo and his Nem.! Would you transplant a Redwood b/c it looks good with birds in the backyard??? Buy CB fish and Captive-Cloned nems. Current Tank Info: 175gal. 3-tier Reef, 400W/250W Radiums, LED/CFL Par38 Mangrove Lagoon 12g Aquapod GBTA 'sterile' tank w/ DIY LED Lighting

06/11/2009, 10:06 PM	#107
pamlee78 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North Las Vegas Posts: 33	Slippery Clown Thanks for the info! I guess I have one of the fast ones. I tried your technique for catching at night, but it didn't work the first attempt. I really don't have much room to maneuver a container in a 40Gal. I want to put the clown in his own 40Gal tank with a small anemone and live rock, so I guess I'll have to be more clever to catch him. LOL!!

06/27/2009, 11:28 PM	#108
aquaph8 Love The Fish Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 5,652	my clown bites me so often, I could probably catch him with my hand __________________ Brett Current Tank Info: Leemar 60x36x24, 8x80 T5/LED Sfiligoi GENESIS Alpha 300 skimmer

07/14/2009, 12:31 AM	#111
GrimReefer82 Roll Tide!!! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 341	I just caught my maroon clown....I waited until he was relaxed after the lights had been off a few hours. I had a little LED flashlight and while he was in the anemone I shined it right in his eyes for a min and then snatched him up with the light in his face. A few seconds and it was over. Hes now in the sump and doesn't appear to have any vision damage. I don't think it was bright enough to do permenant damage. Can't figure out how to catch the clown tang tho. __________________ ~Chris~ Current Tank Info: 40 breeder mixed reef

01/06/2009, 09:58 AM	#101
Tinkanator2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 168	the info in this thread helped me catch my clown in no time, thanks

02/06/2009, 04:56 PM	#102
atsirhc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South OC Posts: 135	some good tips. Thanks!

03/28/2009, 05:02 PM	#103
RedClay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 111	I have a misbar black ocellaris that recently jumped into my overflow (built in). Space was tight, but 15 minutes and a fine mesh net had him back in the tank safe and healthy!

04/27/2009, 04:08 AM	#104
Reefy Fishy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seoul Posts: 8	I would put hungry lion fish in the tank. Look carefully until lion fish eats the clown fish. Then take them out and quickly rescue the little one. The timing is everything... lol

06/28/2009, 12:37 PM	#109
pamlee78 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North Las Vegas Posts: 33	I finally had to take out most of my LR to catch him, but I was in the process of moving the LR into another tank anyway. I decided to add a Mandarin fish in the one tank and maybe Seahorses in the other eventually. I set up a 10 gal Pod tank too. All along with my Discus tank, 3 dogs, 2 birds and a horse - I am a VERY busy lady!

07/02/2009, 11:27 PM	#110
nflores Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 61	I can usually net these guys but for the feisty ones I've boxed them into one side of the tank with a clear piece of plastic. The plastic is invisible under water and it gives you a smaller, rock-free space to work in. Those clear disposable paint tray liners from Lowes work great.

08/11/2009, 09:19 PM	#112
vaporize Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Canada Posts: 750	Not sure if somebody has mentioned it but using Calfo's method of draining the whole tank. I didn't believe him before but once I tried it once, I am a believer. I completely drained a 120G and filled it back up, catching a stubborn skunk clownfish in less than an hour. No corals or fish is harmed in the process.

11/20/2009, 09:46 PM	#113
seababy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 70	I totally agree with J Hartman Careful not to scare your fish to death with a night time attack! Some species of clownfish are very prone to night time scares and wild runs and jumps that could lead to their death. Using evil nets! I do not recommend using nets to catch clownfish. Clownfish are very visual fish with excellent eye sight. Having a large "thing" chasing them around a tank can cause a great deal of stress. I have even seen fish die shortly after netting them. I avoid them and the only ones I own are for straining brine shrimp. NEVER EVER use a net on a maroon clownfish! Maroons have cheek spines that can easily be caught in the netting and result in very bad, even deadly damage to the fish.

11/28/2009, 12:43 AM	#114
ju66alo6 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kennett, MO Posts: 61	My clown is so mean when he bites you he can and has many many time brought blood to my hand. I have always used a net to catch mine when he sees the net he runs to it and swims right into the net and starts trin to bite it, i simply move net against side of tank let the wife hold the net and i do what i have to. then i have to phisically dump him out of the net cause he wont get out of it.

12/01/2009, 12:36 PM	#115
vwmike Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Austin Posts: 53	Very informative, great article. I'm still having a heck of a time capturing mine due to all the caves in my live rock.

12/13/2009, 12:23 PM	#116
jefferino Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 50	The clear container trick works great.

12/18/2009, 02:03 PM	#117
GP Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Huntington Beach,CA Posts: 154	I had a hell of a time catching my tomato clown last night. I had to basically uproot all of the live rock (in a 200 gallon) remove some from the tank completely and finally after 2 hrs. i was able to corner him on the glass. I will not do this again.

12/25/2009, 11:20 AM	#119
pimpman75 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL Posts: 52	put food in a clear 2 liter coke bottle with the top cut out attached to string. when u see him go get the food pull the string and pull him out! works like a charm __________________ THE REEF CHEIF.. Current Tank Info: 120 perfecto REEF TANK

01/01/2010, 04:51 PM	#120
ecureefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 101	Since i can hand feed mine when i sold my last pair i just put the net in and held the flake food near the top and when they swam to the food i just lifted the net i havent tried it lately since i dont plann on gettin rid of any of my fish no time soon

01/06/2010, 02:01 AM	#121
Aqua_boy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New York Posts: 85	Thanks for the information.......

01/07/2010, 12:19 PM	#122
Chasmike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ladson, SC Posts: 30	Good advice.

01/17/2010, 09:38 AM	#123
deangelr Clown Whisperererer Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,262	I have even thought of trying to catch him with a small barbless flyhook !!!! that actually works quite well.. Im sure a most would never say to do that.. I have personally seen many fish caught and unharmed this way in the aquarium.

03/14/2010, 01:54 PM	#124
Fishinboy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bedford, VA Posts: 49	this makes a hard job easy. thanks

04/23/2010, 01:41 PM	#125
graysmurf Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: el paso Posts: 50	I use a container to catch fish from my quarantine tank but its a little trickier when there are rocks where the fish can hide. My clowns are pretty agressive and easy to catch though. I normally just put food on the surface and they come right up, then i can net them. They seemed unfaced by the net.