Black and White Stripped Damsel...HELP!!

FreDre · 07/07/2007, 09:00 AM

After my tank finished cycling, I got 2 damsels. One blue damsel, and one black and white stripped damsel. The black and white one is way too aggressive, and I would really like to return him. The problem is that I CAN'T CATCH HIM! I have been trying for almost 3 days now...and still luck. Are there any tricks to catching fish. He immeditaly takes refuge among the rocks and caves etc...HELP!!!

Aadler · 07/07/2007, 09:02 AM

lose the rocks and caves is the only way i think.

rbtwo4 · 07/07/2007, 09:03 AM

lol oh boy this is a good thread cant wait to read the methods of catching them little fast fishies!

caldel · 07/07/2007, 09:09 AM

I had a problem with an aggressive fancy blue Damsel in my 55 gal reef tank. I bought a fish trap at my local lfs. It was a little pricey, but well worth it. Caught the fish in 2 hours. It was a clear acrylic tube with a trap door at one end.

kevin2000 · 07/07/2007, 09:44 AM

They used to sell large decorator barnacle shells in LFS ... damsels love to use them as "home base" and will retreat inside them when they are scared. Once the damsel calls it home .. you can place a net in the tank .. he will retreat inside the barnacle and then you can place the net over the barnacle and remove the barnacle with the fish inside.

Damsels are hardy, inexpensive, colorful and aggressive fish. They tend to increase the stress level for all the other fish in the tank which may give you long term problems. I suggest you remove both damsels before you begin stocking more expensive and less hardy fish.

Another method of removing damsels is to go Fishing - literally. Purchase a super small hook .. put some bait on .. grab a beer .. and go fishing. You can bend back the barbs which will keep the hook from doing significant damage.

FreDre · 07/07/2007, 10:47 AM

So...I'm takin the easy way out. I just ordered a small fish trap from online...one with a trap door. I can guarentee you though...I'll still be grabbing that beer

Wett Hands · 07/07/2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FreDre
I can guarentee you though...I'll still be grabbing that beer

Good Luck...

trigger111 · 07/07/2007, 12:45 PM

Damsels arenâ€™t easy to catch I know. What has worked for me best was to darken the room the tank is in and then turn off the aquarium lights. The darker you can get the room the better. Then after several minutes of the lights being off and the fishes eyes having adjusted to the dark renter the room and try to locate the fish in the tank with the lights still off. Once located, flip the aquarium lights back on and simply scoop the fish out, its eyes won't be adjusted to the lights and it will have a hard time seeing the net coming. Obviously with large deep tanks with lots of rocks this may not be the best way, but it is how I rid my tank of damsels after trying to net them the old fashioned way and it worked very well.

rbursek · 07/07/2007, 04:41 PM

Welcome to the cheap price of Damsels and there problems, had a Lyre Tail Wrasse "the bully" hook and line to get him out

Duff Man · 07/07/2007, 05:17 PM

Good luck. I had a very difficult time getting my 3 blue damsels out.

07/07/2007, 09:00 AM	#1
FreDre Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 171	Black and White Stripped Damsel...HELP!! After my tank finished cycling, I got 2 damsels. One blue damsel, and one black and white stripped damsel. The black and white one is way too aggressive, and I would really like to return him. The problem is that I CAN'T CATCH HIM! I have been trying for almost 3 days now...and still luck. Are there any tricks to catching fish. He immeditaly takes refuge among the rocks and caves etc...HELP!!!

07/07/2007, 09:02 AM	#2
Aadler Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,336	lose the rocks and caves is the only way i think. __________________ MiniBow 7 - WooHoo

07/07/2007, 09:03 AM	#3
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	lol oh boy this is a good thread cant wait to read the methods of catching them little fast fishies! __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/07/2007, 10:47 AM	#6
FreDre Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 171	So...I'm takin the easy way out. I just ordered a small fish trap from online...one with a trap door. I can guarentee you though...I'll still be grabbing that beer __________________ Check out my site: http://14gallonbiocube.blogspot.com Current Tank Info: Beginner Tank

07/07/2007, 09:09 AM	#4
caldel Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: corona ca Posts: 46	I had a problem with an aggressive fancy blue Damsel in my 55 gal reef tank. I bought a fish trap at my local lfs. It was a little pricey, but well worth it. Caught the fish in 2 hours. It was a clear acrylic tube with a trap door at one end.

07/07/2007, 09:44 AM	#5
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	They used to sell large decorator barnacle shells in LFS ... damsels love to use them as "home base" and will retreat inside them when they are scared. Once the damsel calls it home .. you can place a net in the tank .. he will retreat inside the barnacle and then you can place the net over the barnacle and remove the barnacle with the fish inside. Damsels are hardy, inexpensive, colorful and aggressive fish. They tend to increase the stress level for all the other fish in the tank which may give you long term problems. I suggest you remove both damsels before you begin stocking more expensive and less hardy fish. Another method of removing damsels is to go Fishing - literally. Purchase a super small hook .. put some bait on .. grab a beer .. and go fishing. You can bend back the barbs which will keep the hook from doing significant damage.

07/07/2007, 12:45 PM	#8
trigger111 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: IA Posts: 105	Damsels arenâ€™t easy to catch I know. What has worked for me best was to darken the room the tank is in and then turn off the aquarium lights. The darker you can get the room the better. Then after several minutes of the lights being off and the fishes eyes having adjusted to the dark renter the room and try to locate the fish in the tank with the lights still off. Once located, flip the aquarium lights back on and simply scoop the fish out, its eyes won't be adjusted to the lights and it will have a hard time seeing the net coming. Obviously with large deep tanks with lots of rocks this may not be the best way, but it is how I rid my tank of damsels after trying to net them the old fashioned way and it worked very well.

07/07/2007, 04:41 PM	#9
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	Welcome to the cheap price of Damsels and there problems, had a Lyre Tail Wrasse "the bully" hook and line to get him out

07/07/2007, 05:17 PM	#10
Duff Man Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago's far NW burbs Posts: 629	Good luck. I had a very difficult time getting my 3 blue damsels out.