Please Help Me Catch My Domino!

Fishnthecorner · 09/02/2012, 04:49 PM

I have a 235 gallon FOWLR. And I need to get my Domino Damsel out. He is such a bully. The coke bottle trick didnt work. Net isnt working. I cant remove the rock, its 200lbs+. I have a net floating in the tank, in hopes he gets used to it. Then SHWOOP!. Any other ideas, PLEASE!

pktech · 09/02/2012, 04:53 PM

I had the same problem w/ one - the only thing that worked was after observing where it slept for a few mornings, I was able to quickly turn the lights on while it was disoriented & netted it within seconds. Might be difficult in a 200+ tank though, LOL ... good luck ...

Steve Wright2 · 09/02/2012, 08:16 PM

+1 on the lights out attempt at netting , this has worked for me a couple of times

Not sure what this forums opinion on using fine line and a barbless hook would be?
but that is another method I have used which has also worked

you want a very fine line, and smallest barbless or debarded with pliers hook you can get
bait with sliver of shrimp and patience, combined with decent reflexes ( as IME occasionally it seems the fish you do not want to remove are the 1st to take the bait)

Psirex · 09/02/2012, 08:55 PM

I hoarded mine into a corner using 2 nets with the lights off....

cloak · 09/03/2012, 05:27 PM

You might have to go fishing. I had to catch a wrasse that I had this way. Check this out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/sp/index.php

phonee1 · 09/03/2012, 08:02 PM

Fish it out.

aandfsoccr04 · 09/03/2012, 09:22 PM

I used one of those traps they sell online that has the door that shuts down and just put food in it.

Fishnthecorner · 09/04/2012, 04:06 AM

Nothing is working so far...
I think I'd like to try "go fishing" However, the fish I'm trying to catch only eats pellets. How do I bait a hook?

Steve Wright2 · 09/04/2012, 06:01 AM

if they are reasonable sized pellets there are 2 options
both require a thin guage hook

method 1 - would be apply a small amount of super glue to the pellet and then mount it side on to the shank of the hook above the bend

Method 2 - give the pellet a light sprinkling with water, allow the water to soak in, the pellet will then take on the consistency of rubber as it dries out a bit a thin guage hook will pass through without breaking it

method 2 requires some practice , to much water and pellet dissolves into a slurry
to little and it remains to firm to get hook through

you may find that a small sliver of prawn or shrimp will tempt it so worth trying also

Chris27 · 09/04/2012, 09:18 AM

The fish trap will eventually work, you just need to be patient. You may need to keep the trap in your tank for a few days first.

outssider · 09/04/2012, 05:12 PM

I have used a trap several times. the more aggressive eater the fish is, the better and faster it will work. I could catch my yellow tang immediately if i needed to. he will go right in as soon as the trap hits the bottom of the tank. He has no fear of it at all. some fish are reluctant at first but eventually they got to eat.

scar79 · 09/04/2012, 05:52 PM

I've hooked a banana wrasse out of a 600 gallon tank. He would pick snails, smash crabs, and was generally disruptive. Dropped a hook with a piece of krill on it, and no sooner had it hit the water did he devour it! Easiest fish removal ever.

ps3 · 09/04/2012, 05:57 PM

just got mine out of my 180 last thursday . waited till lights out, surrounded his den with nets and used a flashlight to run him out of this hole right into a net. less than 5 minutes start to finish

badvegan · 09/04/2012, 10:27 PM

I have never failed using the following method.

Items needed:
1. Net for chasing fish
2. Clear report covers (like you turn school reports in with)
3. Siphon hose & Bucket

Prepare:
1. You are going to use the clear report covers to block off your aquarium into sections, staple the covers together so that they span the width of the aquarium, you do not have to worry about height.
2. Clear a one foot section on one end of your tank from front to back. You are going to chase the fish here. There should be no live rock or anywhere for the fish to hide.

Catch:
1. Find the fish you want to remove and watch him.
2. Lower water in your tank till your tallest fish is barely covered with water.
2. Chase the fish into the cleared side of the aquarium with a net... you might have to lift up a couple of rocks or bang on stuff if the fish hides, eventually your fish will go to the cleared end.
3. Slide your clear report folder into tank blocking fishes escape.
4. Slide another clear report folder into tank and move it toward the fish making the area the fish can move smaller.
5. Grab fish with net.

09/02/2012, 04:49 PM	#1
Fishnthecorner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: United States Posts: 430	Please Help Me Catch My Domino! I have a 235 gallon FOWLR. And I need to get my Domino Damsel out. He is such a bully. The coke bottle trick didnt work. Net isnt working. I cant remove the rock, its 200lbs+. I have a net floating in the tank, in hopes he gets used to it. Then SHWOOP!. Any other ideas, PLEASE! __________________ My Tank: http://www.rmgconstruction.com/1000L%20FOWLR.htm Current Tank Info: 1000L FOWLR Corner Bow

09/02/2012, 08:16 PM	#3
Steve Wright2 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shenzhen PRC Posts: 454	+1 on the lights out attempt at netting , this has worked for me a couple of times Not sure what this forums opinion on using fine line and a barbless hook would be? but that is another method I have used which has also worked you want a very fine line, and smallest barbless or debarded with pliers hook you can get bait with sliver of shrimp and patience, combined with decent reflexes ( as IME occasionally it seems the fish you do not want to remove are the 1st to take the bait) __________________ Turbo snails are you kidding me, even I can catch and remove them from my reef tank

09/02/2012, 08:55 PM	#4
Psirex Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,934	I hoarded mine into a corner using 2 nets with the lights off.... __________________ SALINITY NOW....

09/03/2012, 09:22 PM	#7
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	I used one of those traps they sell online that has the door that shuts down and just put food in it. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

09/04/2012, 04:06 AM	#8
Fishnthecorner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: United States Posts: 430	Nothing is working so far... I think I'd like to try "go fishing" However, the fish I'm trying to catch only eats pellets. How do I bait a hook? __________________ My Tank: http://www.rmgconstruction.com/1000L%20FOWLR.htm Current Tank Info: 1000L FOWLR Corner Bow

09/02/2012, 04:53 PM	#2
pktech Thread Ender Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: new jersey Posts: 915	I had the same problem w/ one - the only thing that worked was after observing where it slept for a few mornings, I was able to quickly turn the lights on while it was disoriented & netted it within seconds. Might be difficult in a 200+ tank though, LOL ... good luck ...

09/03/2012, 05:27 PM	#5
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	You might have to go fishing. I had to catch a wrasse that I had this way. Check this out. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/sp/index.php

09/03/2012, 08:02 PM	#6
phonee1 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 17	Fish it out.

09/04/2012, 06:01 AM	#9
Steve Wright2 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shenzhen PRC Posts: 454	if they are reasonable sized pellets there are 2 options both require a thin guage hook method 1 - would be apply a small amount of super glue to the pellet and then mount it side on to the shank of the hook above the bend Method 2 - give the pellet a light sprinkling with water, allow the water to soak in, the pellet will then take on the consistency of rubber as it dries out a bit a thin guage hook will pass through without breaking it method 2 requires some practice , to much water and pellet dissolves into a slurry to little and it remains to firm to get hook through you may find that a small sliver of prawn or shrimp will tempt it so worth trying also __________________ Turbo snails are you kidding me, even I can catch and remove them from my reef tank

09/04/2012, 09:18 AM	#10
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	The fish trap will eventually work, you just need to be patient. You may need to keep the trap in your tank for a few days first. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

09/04/2012, 05:12 PM	#11
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	I have used a trap several times. the more aggressive eater the fish is, the better and faster it will work. I could catch my yellow tang immediately if i needed to. he will go right in as soon as the trap hits the bottom of the tank. He has no fear of it at all. some fish are reluctant at first but eventually they got to eat.

09/04/2012, 05:52 PM	#12
scar79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southwestern CT Posts: 534	I've hooked a banana wrasse out of a 600 gallon tank. He would pick snails, smash crabs, and was generally disruptive. Dropped a hook with a piece of krill on it, and no sooner had it hit the water did he devour it! Easiest fish removal ever.

09/04/2012, 05:57 PM	#13
ps3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 237	just got mine out of my 180 last thursday . waited till lights out, surrounded his den with nets and used a flashlight to run him out of this hole right into a net. less than 5 minutes start to finish

09/04/2012, 10:27 PM	#14
badvegan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 43	I have never failed using the following method. Items needed: 1. Net for chasing fish 2. Clear report covers (like you turn school reports in with) 3. Siphon hose & Bucket Prepare: 1. You are going to use the clear report covers to block off your aquarium into sections, staple the covers together so that they span the width of the aquarium, you do not have to worry about height. 2. Clear a one foot section on one end of your tank from front to back. You are going to chase the fish here. There should be no live rock or anywhere for the fish to hide. Catch: 1. Find the fish you want to remove and watch him. 2. Lower water in your tank till your tallest fish is barely covered with water. 2. Chase the fish into the cleared side of the aquarium with a net... you might have to lift up a couple of rocks or bang on stuff if the fish hides, eventually your fish will go to the cleared end. 3. Slide your clear report folder into tank blocking fishes escape. 4. Slide another clear report folder into tank and move it toward the fish making the area the fish can move smaller. 5. Grab fish with net.