How to catch a fish...fish trap operation

KurtsReef · 12/31/2008, 10:33 AM

So, I rented a fish trap from ARC...

I put food in the correct end in the right way and lower the trap to the aquarium floor...

Fish do not act interested at all.

Am I doing something wrong? Should I be adding it while they are asleep? Not feed them for a day or two?

I want to remove the foxface who seems to enjoy nipping at the acro's too much.

emm0909 · 12/31/2008, 11:39 AM

A lot of times the fish will stay away from is as they are not sure what it is. It doesn't look natural at all. Let it sit there for several days then try to get the food in there without lifting it up and out. If you have to then you have to. No big deal. Once the fish are used to it being in the tank they wont care.

Then once you catch it all you have to do is bag it up and send it to Emm0909, 252 Navarre, Rochester NY... HAHAA.

StashuDave · 12/31/2008, 02:42 PM

Patience.....especially for a foxface. They're not stupid... they know somethings up. Stop feeding for a while(days if you have to) and leave the trap in the tank. Only leave food in it when you are there to monitor it. Watch it as much as you can and get a feel for how the door closes, I've been burned by a door that wouldn't close correctly. Other than that just be patient, especially with a skittish Foxface, eventually hunger and being used to the trap wins out.
Dave

Gary Majchrzak · 12/31/2008, 03:05 PM

Dave (and others) probably already heard the story about the time when I had to remove an offending Rabbitfish (close relative of a Foxface). For others, here it is again:

the fish was munching my corals no matter how much food I gave it. It was an orange spooted Rabbitfish. It was smart. It would never go in the acrylic fish trap when I was home.
My wife asked me what the problem was. I explained. She told me I must be kidding because "the fish goes into the trap every night when you're at work". I told her she was full of it.

As soon as I got to work she called and asked me what I wanted her to do with the fish

KurtsReef · 12/31/2008, 07:26 PM

Thanks,

I was trying to just put in in for an hour or two with food in it. Will let it set overnight (and check it a couple of times).

acdraindrps · 12/31/2008, 08:31 PM

I dont like to put the food in the little section of the closed end that you need to uncrew the cap to get to.. I feel that the fish do not see it how food is normaly presented (as when you actually feed) instead it just sits in that little capsul.

If you fish then you know you have a better chance of catching a fish if you jig your rod a little every now and then, giving the bait you are using a lifelike bounce, and it is proven then fish will hit at this point. It is just instinct for them.

When you regularly feed your fish they are used to the food kind of moving around. Sometimes even more when the food is taken by a powerhead... I'm sure some of you have seen a fish eat something floating in the water column [that has just came from a yellow tangs rear end].. It is instint for them to try and eat anything floating in the water colum.

If you feed with a turkey baster, try actually showing the fish the baster before you put it in the tank (they know whats up when they see the baster, if you use one) and squirt the food directly into the open door of the fish trap, trying to make sure it all gets into the trap. Hopefully the rabbitfish is too excited to realize something is up.

You gotta try and fool the fish somehow, Kurt.

HTH,
Chris

block head · 12/31/2008, 08:57 PM

trapping is all about location location location, trying to force animals into unnatural situations just makes everything harder. that's why the plastic bag works so well, they don't even know it's there. if u place it in high traffic area u don't even need bait

KurtsReef · 12/31/2008, 09:21 PM

Both good ideas. Will leave the trap in overnight and try the turkey baster option first.

Thanks.

Steven1015 · 12/31/2008, 10:29 PM

The turkey baster works really well i have actually just stuck a large net in my tank and a turkey baster and the fish think there getting fed and dont even care about the net.

Nuuze · 12/31/2008, 10:40 PM

I train all my fish to come to the surface before I feed. Sometimes to eat from my hand. If you approach the tank they all will follow you. When someone has to be caught I don't feed the whole day until I am ready to catch. Place the trap right at the surface and drop food in. I usually catch more than the one I want so I have to carefully release the others. HTH.

Gary Majchrzak · 12/31/2008, 11:31 PM

nice trap, Mike. Did you make that one?
What's holding it in place.. a magnet?

Nuuze · 12/31/2008, 11:40 PM

I bought it from Dr FosterSmith.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=14700

Yes, the AlgeaFree cleaning magnet holds it temporarily.

block head · 01/01/2009, 10:54 AM

slick trap,l really like it set in the corner. nice way to funnel the fish into the trap

Gary Majchrzak · 01/01/2009, 10:55 AM

is there a way to drop fish food through the top of that trap?

Nuuze · 01/01/2009, 04:09 PM

Yes, there is a hole at the top. It also comes with a small pipe with holes to put food inside if you plan to place the trap on the sand.

KurtsReef · 01/01/2009, 06:40 PM

Very nice trap, might end up buying one of those.

Right now I have the borrowed trap at the bottom right

And I think its simply too small...

I made this one with an old food grade container, the nori clip is being held by the same zip ties that are run through a couple slits I made. The foxface has looked inside a couple times but yet to go inside the container.

KurtsReef · 01/02/2009, 10:20 AM

Wife just called to tell me the foxface is going into the large home made trap to feed...

May have him out tonight.

Anyone interested in a foxface?

KurtsReef · 01/02/2009, 10:21 AM

Oh, should be a non-SPS system as he now has a taste for Acro's

backdraft79 · 01/02/2009, 11:09 AM

here fishy fishy fishy

KurtsReef · 01/05/2009, 03:31 PM

Finally...

The pretzel barrel with a nori clip zip tied into it (and zip tied to a brace) worked today. Its been in the display for 4 days, I barely fed any at all yesterday and only had to wait about 5 minutes for the foxface to go into the trap after 'baiting' it with nori after work today.

Of course during that 5 minute span I actually saw him take a nice size piece of the green slimer.

Hip Hip...

Gary Majchrzak · 01/05/2009, 04:01 PM

congrats!

dreaminmel · 01/05/2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KurtsReef
Hip Hip...

Hooray!!!

12/31/2008, 10:33 AM	#1
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	How to catch a fish...fish trap operation So, I rented a fish trap from ARC... I put food in the correct end in the right way and lower the trap to the aquarium floor... Fish do not act interested at all. Am I doing something wrong? Should I be adding it while they are asleep? Not feed them for a day or two? I want to remove the foxface who seems to enjoy nipping at the acro's too much.

12/31/2008, 02:42 PM	#3
StashuDave Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Depew (Buffalo) Posts: 460	Patience.....especially for a foxface. They're not stupid... they know somethings up. Stop feeding for a while(days if you have to) and leave the trap in the tank. Only leave food in it when you are there to monitor it. Watch it as much as you can and get a feel for how the door closes, I've been burned by a door that wouldn't close correctly. Other than that just be patient, especially with a skittish Foxface, eventually hunger and being used to the trap wins out. Dave __________________ Yep, its my foot! Current Tank Info: 60 Cube

12/31/2008, 03:05 PM	#4
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	Dave (and others) probably already heard the story about the time when I had to remove an offending Rabbitfish (close relative of a Foxface). For others, here it is again: the fish was munching my corals no matter how much food I gave it. It was an orange spooted Rabbitfish. It was smart. It would never go in the acrylic fish trap when I was home. My wife asked me what the problem was. I explained. She told me I must be kidding because "the fish goes into the trap every night when you're at work". I told her she was full of it. As soon as I got to work she called and asked me what I wanted her to do with the fish __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

12/31/2008, 11:31 PM	#11
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	nice trap, Mike. Did you make that one? What's holding it in place.. a magnet? __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

01/01/2009, 10:55 AM	#14
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	is there a way to drop fish food through the top of that trap? __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

12/31/2008, 11:39 AM	#2
emm0909 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 850	A lot of times the fish will stay away from is as they are not sure what it is. It doesn't look natural at all. Let it sit there for several days then try to get the food in there without lifting it up and out. If you have to then you have to. No big deal. Once the fish are used to it being in the tank they wont care. Then once you catch it all you have to do is bag it up and send it to Emm0909, 252 Navarre, Rochester NY... HAHAA.

12/31/2008, 07:26 PM	#5
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	Thanks, I was trying to just put in in for an hour or two with food in it. Will let it set overnight (and check it a couple of times).

12/31/2008, 08:31 PM	#6
acdraindrps Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: buffalo, ny Posts: 2,275	I dont like to put the food in the little section of the closed end that you need to uncrew the cap to get to.. I feel that the fish do not see it how food is normaly presented (as when you actually feed) instead it just sits in that little capsul. If you fish then you know you have a better chance of catching a fish if you jig your rod a little every now and then, giving the bait you are using a lifelike bounce, and it is proven then fish will hit at this point. It is just instinct for them. When you regularly feed your fish they are used to the food kind of moving around. Sometimes even more when the food is taken by a powerhead... I'm sure some of you have seen a fish eat something floating in the water column [that has just came from a yellow tangs rear end].. It is instint for them to try and eat anything floating in the water colum. If you feed with a turkey baster, try actually showing the fish the baster before you put it in the tank (they know whats up when they see the baster, if you use one) and squirt the food directly into the open door of the fish trap, trying to make sure it all gets into the trap. Hopefully the rabbitfish is too excited to realize something is up. You gotta try and fool the fish somehow, Kurt. HTH, Chris

12/31/2008, 08:57 PM	#7
block head Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: spencerport ny Posts: 2,619	trapping is all about location location location, trying to force animals into unnatural situations just makes everything harder. that's why the plastic bag works so well, they don't even know it's there. if u place it in high traffic area u don't even need bait

12/31/2008, 09:21 PM	#8
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	Both good ideas. Will leave the trap in overnight and try the turkey baster option first. Thanks.

12/31/2008, 10:29 PM	#9
Steven1015 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tonawanda, NY Posts: 229	The turkey baster works really well i have actually just stuck a large net in my tank and a turkey baster and the fish think there getting fed and dont even care about the net.

12/31/2008, 10:40 PM	#10
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	I train all my fish to come to the surface before I feed. Sometimes to eat from my hand. If you approach the tank they all will follow you. When someone has to be caught I don't feed the whole day until I am ready to catch. Place the trap right at the surface and drop food in. I usually catch more than the one I want so I have to carefully release the others. HTH.

12/31/2008, 11:40 PM	#12
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	I bought it from Dr FosterSmith. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=14700 Yes, the AlgeaFree cleaning magnet holds it temporarily.

01/01/2009, 10:54 AM	#13
block head Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: spencerport ny Posts: 2,619	slick trap,l really like it set in the corner. nice way to funnel the fish into the trap

01/01/2009, 04:09 PM	#15
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	Yes, there is a hole at the top. It also comes with a small pipe with holes to put food inside if you plan to place the trap on the sand.

01/01/2009, 06:40 PM	#16
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	Very nice trap, might end up buying one of those. Right now I have the borrowed trap at the bottom right And I think its simply too small... I made this one with an old food grade container, the nori clip is being held by the same zip ties that are run through a couple slits I made. The foxface has looked inside a couple times but yet to go inside the container.

01/02/2009, 10:20 AM	#17
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	Wife just called to tell me the foxface is going into the large home made trap to feed... May have him out tonight. Anyone interested in a foxface?

01/02/2009, 10:21 AM	#18
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	Oh, should be a non-SPS system as he now has a taste for Acro's

01/02/2009, 11:09 AM	#19
backdraft79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 1,442	here fishy fishy fishy __________________ Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. Mohandas Gandhi Current Tank Info: 90RR with custom stand, canopy and cabnet. More to be added

01/05/2009, 03:31 PM	#20
KurtsReef Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Boston, NY Posts: 2,603	Finally... The pretzel barrel with a nori clip zip tied into it (and zip tied to a brace) worked today. Its been in the display for 4 days, I barely fed any at all yesterday and only had to wait about 5 minutes for the foxface to go into the trap after 'baiting' it with nori after work today. Of course during that 5 minute span I actually saw him take a nice size piece of the green slimer. Hip Hip...

01/05/2009, 04:01 PM	#21
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	congrats! __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors