On a mission - catching orchid dottyback

potatocouch · 07/25/2015, 02:15 PM

I'm on a mission to catch an orchid dottyback in about 30 minutes or 1 hour time.

I have 5 gallon of fresh saltwater prepared in a bucket.

I know which live rock and which hole the dotty is sleeping.

Light is currently out.

What I think of doing? take out the LR and wiggle the hole towards the fresh saltwater bucket.

Is this method fail-proof? Will there be a chance after shaking the rock, dotty is not coming out?

My back-up plan is, if it doesn't come out, I'll put the live rock into the 5 gallon bucket and see how we go from there.

My intention is not to kill the dottyback but at the same time, I do not want any die off. i don't want ammonia to spike up when I do this.

Any input is much appreciated.

Sk8r · 07/25/2015, 02:23 PM

Good luck. They are the wiliest fish to catch---and you get only one try per method, because they learn, and won't fall for it twice.

Move that rock out fast, have a net or large cloth ready and set that rock onto the net, or cloth, until you can move it to the bucket --- better yet have a friend ready to take it and dunk it; and keep any cats or dogs out of the room.

My guess is the second that rock moves he'll be out of it like a shot. The only way I caught mine was by digging a hole in a corner, dewatering the tank rapidly to the point fish gathered in the pit, catching fish, then rewatering the tank just as rapidly.

Good luck.

potatocouch · 07/25/2015, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Good luck. They are the wiliest fish to catch---and you get only one try per method, because they learn, and won't fall for it twice.

Move that rock out fast, have a net or large cloth ready and set that rock onto the net, or cloth, until you can move it to the bucket --- better yet have a friend ready to take it and dunk it; and keep any cats or dogs out of the room.

My guess is the second that rock moves he'll be out of it like a shot. The only way I caught mine was by digging a hole in a corner, dewatering the tank rapidly to the point fish gathered in the pit, catching fish, then rewatering the tank just as rapidly.

Good luck.

But say it's still inside the rock, will it be possible that he won't come out? I don't want to kill the dottyback

heathlindner25 · 07/25/2015, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Good luck. They are the wiliest fish to catch---and you get only one try per method, because they learn, and won't fall for it twice.

Move that rock out fast, have a net or large cloth ready and set that rock onto the net, or cloth, until you can move it to the bucket --- better yet have a friend ready to take it and dunk it; and keep any cats or dogs out of the room.

My guess is the second that rock moves he'll be out of it like a shot. The only way I caught mine was by digging a hole in a corner, dewatering the tank rapidly to the point fish gathered in the pit, catching fish, then rewatering the tank just as rapidly.

Good luck.

I've had the best luck draining the tank also....but if you can get the rock out and he still in it you can leave the rock on your counter and after a few minutes he will come out then put him in the bucket

potatocouch · 07/25/2015, 02:53 PM

This fish won't bite right? as a precaution, I will be using gloves and put my finger to cover the hole so it won't get away as I take the rock out.

I hope I'll be fine.

Sk8r · 07/25/2015, 02:57 PM

He's too small to do damage, but wear gloves anyway: you might meet a bristleworm.

potatocouch · 07/25/2015, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

He's too small to do damage, but wear gloves anyway: you might meet a bristleworm.

thanks

Scoted · 07/25/2015, 04:01 PM

If I were you I would be prepared with extra buckets!

RG Rude · 07/30/2015, 05:01 AM

What happened??

07/25/2015, 02:15 PM	#1
potatocouch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 201	On a mission - catching orchid dottyback I'm on a mission to catch an orchid dottyback in about 30 minutes or 1 hour time. I have 5 gallon of fresh saltwater prepared in a bucket. I know which live rock and which hole the dotty is sleeping. Light is currently out. What I think of doing? take out the LR and wiggle the hole towards the fresh saltwater bucket. Is this method fail-proof? Will there be a chance after shaking the rock, dotty is not coming out? My back-up plan is, if it doesn't come out, I'll put the live rock into the 5 gallon bucket and see how we go from there. My intention is not to kill the dottyback but at the same time, I do not want any die off. i don't want ammonia to spike up when I do this. Any input is much appreciated.

07/25/2015, 02:23 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Good luck. They are the wiliest fish to catch---and you get only one try per method, because they learn, and won't fall for it twice. Move that rock out fast, have a net or large cloth ready and set that rock onto the net, or cloth, until you can move it to the bucket --- better yet have a friend ready to take it and dunk it; and keep any cats or dogs out of the room. My guess is the second that rock moves he'll be out of it like a shot. The only way I caught mine was by digging a hole in a corner, dewatering the tank rapidly to the point fish gathered in the pit, catching fish, then rewatering the tank just as rapidly. Good luck. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/25/2015, 02:57 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	He's too small to do damage, but wear gloves anyway: you might meet a bristleworm. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/25/2015, 02:53 PM	#5
potatocouch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 201	This fish won't bite right? as a precaution, I will be using gloves and put my finger to cover the hole so it won't get away as I take the rock out. I hope I'll be fine.

07/25/2015, 04:01 PM	#8
Scoted Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: South Jersey Posts: 126	If I were you I would be prepared with extra buckets!

07/30/2015, 05:01 AM	#9
RG Rude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 198	What happened??