I freakin watched him do it!!!!

nemofish2217 · 03/15/2006, 03:00 PM

Okay, so today i freakin saw my bi-color blenny swim up and take a chunk out of my green monitpora digitata..... HOW CAN I CATCH HIM????? The sob is so fast, and he wont go for the glass vase trick.... and unfortunatley his favorite hiding spot is in a rock that cannot be moved!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

nemofish2217 · 03/15/2006, 03:15 PM

how can i lure him out in the open enough to snag him????? everytime i get near the tank with a net he flies to that hole.....

AquaReeferMan · 03/15/2006, 03:19 PM

Ha good luck man I have been trying to remove 3 fish from my tank for like 2 months. Lemme know if you catch him.

nemofish2217 · 03/15/2006, 03:21 PM

is it going to be worth it to just buy one of those stupid fish traps?

mbbuna · 03/15/2006, 03:22 PM

just start giving them all there food from a net. put the food in the net, drop the net in, if they want to eat they have to go into the net. in a week or 2 every time you put the net in the fish will jump right into it

Mr James · 03/15/2006, 03:24 PM

I watched a friend of mine literally drop a fishing line with a no. 2 hook (itty bitty hook) with a chunks of meat on it into his tank and snag a pesky domino damsel. I didn't think it could work and even ripped on him for trying, but it did and he laughed at my expense. Otherwise, I have successfully done the lights off/flashlight thing to remove a killer yellow tail damsel from my 125. He killed so many fish that I didn't give him a proper burial. I sent him by way of the sewer system!!

74nautique · 03/15/2006, 03:24 PM

Use a small barb-less fish hook with some shrimp or krill on it, tie on some fishing cord and wrap around your finger and go fishing.

jim.l · 03/15/2006, 03:27 PM

If all else fails, go to a fly fishing tackle shop and buy the smallest hook they have. pinch the barb down or off and bait with shrimp piece. Go fishing near that hole.

JackRent · 03/15/2006, 03:27 PM

I use a tiny trouk hook and a chopstick for the pole. Works like a charm and it is more fun than moving rock and disturbing the rest of the flock.

whiteshark · 03/15/2006, 03:28 PM

I suggest something like a size 18 or 20 nymph hook. Any store that sells fly fishing stuff will have em. Make sure to remove the barb!! Yeah, talking fishing!

zimmy1979 · 03/15/2006, 03:31 PM

For some reason everytime I picture someone fishing in their tank for a sneaky damsel I laugh...

. Damn those fish are evil.

Steffish · 03/15/2006, 03:32 PM

The flashlight with the lights off has worked for me numerous times. It's a two person operation.

nemofish2217 · 03/15/2006, 03:40 PM

thanks for your responses guys.... i am afraid to do the "fishing" trick because he is so small.... less than 3", that im afraid that i would tear him up with any hook. And the only problem with using the net with food in it, is that anytime i get anywhere close to the tank...esp if the net's in there...he will scram straight for his hole.....

DocG · 03/15/2006, 03:43 PM

I have removed numerous fish using the ultralife trap and I swear by it. You put the food right in the trap itself and not in the compartment that they have for the food.

The Trap

dc_909 · 03/15/2006, 04:35 PM

Break down the tank and remodel the live rock when your done.
Thats how I got my Purple tang and brittle stars out.

I have an 80 so a 47 should be no problem

ChickenCannoneer · 03/15/2006, 04:48 PM

Here you go
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=707656

kysmith · 03/15/2006, 04:52 PM

I have a bicolored blenny who is so easy to catch. Everytime I put my hand in the tank he hides inside this rock that is right on top. So I pick up the rock and he never comes out HAHAHA what a stupid fish.

I guess that's not much help

Porkibear · 03/15/2006, 05:02 PM

If it hides in a piece of liverock that is "removable" (given there are no coral growths that connect any other pieces of liverock), I've caught my damsel twice by just picking up the rock and keeping the net under the rock while I slowly lift the rock out of the water. The fish realizes it is out of the water, so it ends up squirming down towards the net. Voila....fish jumps into the net.

The fish thinks it's going to be safe in the rock, so it usually stays in its hiding place unless it feels safe to make a beeline to another corner of the tank.

Otherwise, I'd try the fishing method mentioned above! Good luck!

GraviT · 03/15/2006, 05:06 PM

I had the same problem with my bi-color blenny. I solved my issue by attaching various digi frags to his rock. Now, instead of traveling around the tank and nipping, he just takes what's close by. Lazy fish I guess!

Alaskan Reefer · 03/15/2006, 05:55 PM

I recommend the Royal Coachman in #20.

LOL

Seriously, with a fish as fast and evasive as a blenny, you may end up tearing down. I took down my old 75 to get a strawberry pseudo out. What a PITA.

ACBlinky · 03/15/2006, 06:17 PM

I've torn apart a tank to catch a fish, it's no fun at all. My suggestion would be to try draining it first; set up a few Rubbermaid bins, siphon the water into them (the brief time out of water won't hurt the corals) and dig a hole in the sand where the fish will eventually collect as the water level lowers. Once there's only a couple inches of water left and he's got nowhere left to go, scoop him out into a bucket and refill the tank. If that doesn't work, do a teardown and consider it an opportunity to re-aquascape

NCreefwannabe · 03/15/2006, 08:20 PM

haha I got a friends fish out yesterday buy using a water pump and some wide tubing. Basically I sucked his fish out, but be sure to have a way to have him stop before he gets sucked into the pump. I used a small screen.

Within 3 gallons he was out and on his way to the LFS.

ethompson · 03/15/2006, 08:27 PM

I'd just start plugging his holes with something until he jumps into a rock you can pull out.

Makes sense to me.

nemofish2217 · 03/15/2006, 08:52 PM

wow...great thread chicken connoneer... and thanks guys for all of the other responses.... now my question is, because i think i have decided to go with the drain method, is how will my clamm react to the lack of water? will he be okay?

nemofish2217 · 03/15/2006, 09:21 PM

okay, so far...
1. vase trick...no good
2. plastic bag trick with food...nuhuh
3. sucking out with siphon hose....i was surprised this didnt work
4. food in net...nope
5. screaming, yelling and cursing at him at the top of my lungs....i actually think i saw him laugh.....

so, i am left to....
1. tearing down the tank and re-aquascaping...
2. Draining the tank, leaving the corals exposed to air for a few minutes and grab him
3 Put epoxy on his favorite hole......WHILE he is inside......haha. j/k....

BTW, THIS SUCKS!!!! anyone who has sps, be careful about putting any blenny in your tank.....

03/15/2006, 03:00 PM	#1
nemofish2217 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,606	I freakin watched him do it!!!! Okay, so today i freakin saw my bi-color blenny swim up and take a chunk out of my green monitpora digitata..... HOW CAN I CATCH HIM????? The sob is so fast, and he wont go for the glass vase trick.... and unfortunatley his favorite hiding spot is in a rock that cannot be moved!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

03/15/2006, 03:19 PM	#3
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	Ha good luck man I have been trying to remove 3 fish from my tank for like 2 months. Lemme know if you catch him. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

03/15/2006, 03:27 PM	#8
jim.l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SE. Florida Posts: 608	If all else fails, go to a fly fishing tackle shop and buy the smallest hook they have. pinch the barb down or off and bait with shrimp piece. Go fishing near that hole. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 150 reef, soft, hard, SPS

03/15/2006, 03:28 PM	#10
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	I suggest something like a size 18 or 20 nymph hook. Any store that sells fly fishing stuff will have em. Make sure to remove the barb!! Yeah, talking fishing! __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

03/15/2006, 03:31 PM	#11
zimmy1979 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: City of Angels Posts: 405	For some reason everytime I picture someone fishing in their tank for a sneaky damsel I laugh.... Damn those fish are evil.

03/15/2006, 03:15 PM	#2
nemofish2217 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,606	how can i lure him out in the open enough to snag him????? everytime i get near the tank with a net he flies to that hole.....

03/15/2006, 03:21 PM	#4
nemofish2217 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,606	is it going to be worth it to just buy one of those stupid fish traps?

03/15/2006, 03:22 PM	#5
mbbuna Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,847	just start giving them all there food from a net. put the food in the net, drop the net in, if they want to eat they have to go into the net. in a week or 2 every time you put the net in the fish will jump right into it

03/15/2006, 03:24 PM	#6
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	I watched a friend of mine literally drop a fishing line with a no. 2 hook (itty bitty hook) with a chunks of meat on it into his tank and snag a pesky domino damsel. I didn't think it could work and even ripped on him for trying, but it did and he laughed at my expense. Otherwise, I have successfully done the lights off/flashlight thing to remove a killer yellow tail damsel from my 125. He killed so many fish that I didn't give him a proper burial. I sent him by way of the sewer system!!

03/15/2006, 03:24 PM	#7
74nautique Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 172	Use a small barb-less fish hook with some shrimp or krill on it, tie on some fishing cord and wrap around your finger and go fishing.

03/15/2006, 03:27 PM	#9
JackRent Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 511	I use a tiny trouk hook and a chopstick for the pole. Works like a charm and it is more fun than moving rock and disturbing the rest of the flock.

03/15/2006, 03:32 PM	#12
Steffish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 175	The flashlight with the lights off has worked for me numerous times. It's a two person operation.

03/15/2006, 03:40 PM	#13
nemofish2217 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,606	thanks for your responses guys.... i am afraid to do the "fishing" trick because he is so small.... less than 3", that im afraid that i would tear him up with any hook. And the only problem with using the net with food in it, is that anytime i get anywhere close to the tank...esp if the net's in there...he will scram straight for his hole.....

03/15/2006, 03:43 PM	#14
DocG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 561	I have removed numerous fish using the ultralife trap and I swear by it. You put the food right in the trap itself and not in the compartment that they have for the food. The Trap

03/15/2006, 04:35 PM	#15
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	Break down the tank and remodel the live rock when your done. Thats how I got my Purple tang and brittle stars out. I have an 80 so a 47 should be no problem

03/15/2006, 04:48 PM	#16
ChickenCannoneer Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hudson, OH Posts: 1,268	Here you go http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=707656

03/15/2006, 04:52 PM	#17
kysmith Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 600	I have a bicolored blenny who is so easy to catch. Everytime I put my hand in the tank he hides inside this rock that is right on top. So I pick up the rock and he never comes out HAHAHA what a stupid fish. I guess that's not much help __________________ GO HOKIES!! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon

03/15/2006, 05:02 PM	#18
Porkibear Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 186	If it hides in a piece of liverock that is "removable" (given there are no coral growths that connect any other pieces of liverock), I've caught my damsel twice by just picking up the rock and keeping the net under the rock while I slowly lift the rock out of the water. The fish realizes it is out of the water, so it ends up squirming down towards the net. Voila....fish jumps into the net. The fish thinks it's going to be safe in the rock, so it usually stays in its hiding place unless it feels safe to make a beeline to another corner of the tank. Otherwise, I'd try the fishing method mentioned above! Good luck!

03/15/2006, 05:06 PM	#19
GraviT Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 420	I had the same problem with my bi-color blenny. I solved my issue by attaching various digi frags to his rock. Now, instead of traveling around the tank and nipping, he just takes what's close by. Lazy fish I guess! __________________ Member of DFWMAS Current Tank Info: Custom 162g, 40g sump/fuge, black box LEDs, Skimz Octa SC165i, Skimz Ca reactor, a real CO2 regulator, 2016 Apex

03/15/2006, 05:55 PM	#20
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	I recommend the Royal Coachman in #20. LOL Seriously, with a fish as fast and evasive as a blenny, you may end up tearing down. I took down my old 75 to get a strawberry pseudo out. What a PITA. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/15/2006, 06:17 PM	#21
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I've torn apart a tank to catch a fish, it's no fun at all. My suggestion would be to try draining it first; set up a few Rubbermaid bins, siphon the water into them (the brief time out of water won't hurt the corals) and dig a hole in the sand where the fish will eventually collect as the water level lowers. Once there's only a couple inches of water left and he's got nowhere left to go, scoop him out into a bucket and refill the tank. If that doesn't work, do a teardown and consider it an opportunity to re-aquascape __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

03/15/2006, 08:20 PM	#22
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	haha I got a friends fish out yesterday buy using a water pump and some wide tubing. Basically I sucked his fish out, but be sure to have a way to have him stop before he gets sucked into the pump. I used a small screen. Within 3 gallons he was out and on his way to the LFS.

03/15/2006, 08:27 PM	#23
ethompson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 110	I'd just start plugging his holes with something until he jumps into a rock you can pull out. Makes sense to me.

03/15/2006, 08:52 PM	#24
nemofish2217 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,606	wow...great thread chicken connoneer... and thanks guys for all of the other responses.... now my question is, because i think i have decided to go with the drain method, is how will my clamm react to the lack of water? will he be okay?

03/15/2006, 09:21 PM	#25
nemofish2217 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,606	okay, so far... 1. vase trick...no good 2. plastic bag trick with food...nuhuh 3. sucking out with siphon hose....i was surprised this didnt work 4. food in net...nope 5. screaming, yelling and cursing at him at the top of my lungs....i actually think i saw him laugh..... so, i am left to.... 1. tearing down the tank and re-aquascaping... 2. Draining the tank, leaving the corals exposed to air for a few minutes and grab him 3 Put epoxy on his favorite hole......WHILE he is inside......haha. j/k.... BTW, THIS SUCKS!!!! anyone who has sps, be careful about putting any blenny in your tank.....