Good Tang gone bad can't catch!

blas · 12/14/2006, 08:23 PM

Well my Bristolmouth Tang has gone bad, he's chasing everyone and has beat the you know what out of my new orange shoulder! I am gonna catch him but am having a h*ll of a time seeing as I have 300lbs of live rock with tons of caves. I set up a cut open plastic bottle and am trying to get him to go in it so I can't get him outta there. Any suggestions out there, I cannot dismantle the tank. Blas

woodwrangler · 12/14/2006, 10:01 PM

Skip, down at ATR, was talking to me about using hook and line to catch our blue hippo. I was quite amazed when he mentioned it, something about cutting the barbs off the hook. Making sure the hook would make a nice clean hole on the fishs' mouth, and this would ensure a nice clean exit when you take the hook out. Bait it with the tangs favorite type of food. The fish will heal.

Obviously, I am yet to research this method of catching a fish, but you may want to look in to it.

Several times I have tried to use the net at feeding time, but no luck, the fish is just too quick, and seems to see me coming from a mile away. I think I remember reading some nonsense on the boards about a guy that was having trouble catching a fish, so he put on sunglasses and caught the fish on the first try. He said it was because the fish couldn't read his eyes. Must have been a poker player. Hey, but it aparently worked. Let us all know how you end up catching the fish.

army67romeo · 12/14/2006, 11:04 PM

is he a arrrivseve eater? a bug catch trag works if he is arrgreiive

army67romeo · 12/14/2006, 11:04 PM

is he a arrrivseve eater? a bug catch trag works if he is arrgreiive

army67romeo · 12/14/2006, 11:06 PM

a big *

clintrandall · 12/14/2006, 11:07 PM

I tried the bottle trick with a yellow tang and actually had some luck...with every other fish! They would all go in, but he was taller and seemed nervous about it. I also had the issue of the fish darting around when I would go near the bottle so it might work to poke a hole and tie a piece of heavy string through it so you can pull it up if he goes in. Did you put food in the bottle?

owsi · 12/14/2006, 11:23 PM

Double post

owsi · 12/14/2006, 11:23 PM

Big clear plastic bag, food, turn off all flow so bag stays open. Used to collect fish in ocean this way, bags is less scary and they will run into it and thinking they can get thru. Might need to cover side of tank with black paper so he can't see you waiting and fishing line to pull bag. Or make a small spear gun, lol.

blas · 12/15/2006, 08:03 AM

Spear gun that thought has crossed my mind! LOL I am gonna give the bottle a few days then I'll try the bag and perhaps DYNOMITE! The key I think is gonna be patience : )

mike89t · 12/15/2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by owsi
Big clear plastic bag, food, turn off all flow so bag stays open. Used to collect fish in ocean this way, bags is less scary and they will run into it and thinking they can get thru. Might need to cover side of tank with black paper so he can't see you waiting and fishing line to pull bag. Or make a small spear gun, lol.

That's how I got some of mine out. Borrowed a large clear plastic bag from ATR. Rolled the edge so the bag would stay open. Turned off all flow and herded the fish into the bag.

Rayman380 · 12/15/2006, 10:22 AM

Try catching him at night with the lights out. This takes a litlle planning but has always worked for me. They will usually hide at night and are easier to trap. Good luck!

Philwd · 12/15/2006, 01:34 PM

I've tried the hook trick. Caught almost all my fish except the one I wanted to. Works great on aggressive feeders.

bnlimit10 · 12/15/2006, 07:10 PM

I dont know about your tank, but most of my fish normally at night they all hide in the same place, its kind of like their home. If you know where they will go once the lights go out, it would really be as simple as trapping them in said structure. either placing a clear bag infront of the hole they normally enter, so that when the lights go out, he swims straight into the bag, or once he is in that hole, take that rock out of that tank, and into another where you dont have any live rock so he will be an easy target.

blas · 12/15/2006, 07:51 PM

Thanks for all the ides I have not found where that turkey sleeps : ) I'll let ya know if I make the snag! Blas

blas · 12/16/2006, 07:29 PM

OK so I have trapped the Orange Shoulder tang trouble is I want the other guy LOL!, I am thinking to go back at it in a few hours, I have been at it for most of the day. I ended up taking one corner of the tank using egg crate and getting the Bristolmouth to chase the Orange and the orange ran right into the corner the other guy is still out smarting me! Oh well at least for now he is safe. Blas

clkwrk · 12/16/2006, 11:11 PM

how big is he? I have a fish trap that has a drop door controlled by fishing line . Sit back on the couch and wait

I also know how you feel . I have a PBT which I have had for many years and recently he decided to start splashing tonsof water all over the place and he is testing my last nerves. I knocked him in the side one time while he was going up for a splash and he quit for a few days but the stubborn fish is back at it . I think hes trying to start an electrical fire or something.

Good luck.

Satori · 12/17/2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clkwrk
how big is he? I have a fish trap that has a drop door controlled by fishing line . Sit back on the couch and wait

I also know how you feel . I have a PBT which I have had for many years and recently he decided to start splashing tonsof water all over the place and he is testing my last nerves. I knocked him in the side one time while he was going up for a splash and he quit for a few days but the stubborn fish is back at it . I think hes trying to start an electrical fire or something.

Good luck.

Lol Chris, your PBT sounds like it has OCD like mine. Luckily mine doesn't splash, but when I clean the glass he'll charge the magnet scraper over and over for the rest of the day.

Also, it sounds like I have the same fish trap, it works very well.

blas · 12/17/2006, 09:34 AM

The "Evil" Emperor Tang is about 4" long. Where did you get the traps, I am thinking on waiting this guy out since I prefer to keep the orange shoulder. He was harrasing him right up until the lights went out. Blas

Satori · 12/17/2006, 09:40 AM

I got mine from Marine Depot:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=UL1513

clkwrk · 12/17/2006, 09:55 AM

Mine is homemade .

Big long glass jar with and acrylic brace that runs along the bottom towards the front of the opening ( or top of jar) from there I have 2 pieces of acrylic with spacers in between to allow another piece ( the door ) drops down between the 2 which seals the jar shut . I operate the door by fishing line .

If I dig it out I will take a pic .

Here is a crude drawing the acrylic portion is held to the jar by zipties or rubber bands.

blas · 12/17/2006, 08:56 PM

Victory has been declared!!!! YES! I ended up buying a trap using the Orange Shoulder in a makeshift eggcrate cage to lure the Bristolmouth in and 8 hours later dropped the door!!!!! He will be going back to AA Monday, I have him in my sump. A long rewarding day. Side note the owner at Pets Inc. told me I could rent the trap, but unfortunately I stepped on the feeder tube so now its mine but thats ok big praise to him for that offer. Blas

Blakethebug · 12/17/2006, 09:39 PM

way to go! i think i would have resorted to the spear gun idea myself but your patients certainly paid off

auntdeb · 12/18/2006, 06:52 PM

Skip suggested the hook for us with our blue hippo tang. I was skeptical at first, but it worked like a charm!!!! We found some tiny hooks at Cabellas with about 12" of fishing line already attached to them. We got a pack of like 8 for less than $2. We used one to catch the fish and have extras for any other fish that decides to get nasty!

12/14/2006, 08:23 PM	#1
blas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 370	Good Tang gone bad can't catch! Well my Bristolmouth Tang has gone bad, he's chasing everyone and has beat the you know what out of my new orange shoulder! I am gonna catch him but am having a h*ll of a time seeing as I have 300lbs of live rock with tons of caves. I set up a cut open plastic bottle and am trying to get him to go in it so I can't get him outta there. Any suggestions out there, I cannot dismantle the tank. Blas

12/14/2006, 10:01 PM	#2
woodwrangler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 804	Skip, down at ATR, was talking to me about using hook and line to catch our blue hippo. I was quite amazed when he mentioned it, something about cutting the barbs off the hook. Making sure the hook would make a nice clean hole on the fishs' mouth, and this would ensure a nice clean exit when you take the hook out. Bait it with the tangs favorite type of food. The fish will heal. Obviously, I am yet to research this method of catching a fish, but you may want to look in to it. Several times I have tried to use the net at feeding time, but no luck, the fish is just too quick, and seems to see me coming from a mile away. I think I remember reading some nonsense on the boards about a guy that was having trouble catching a fish, so he put on sunglasses and caught the fish on the first try. He said it was because the fish couldn't read his eyes. Must have been a poker player. Hey, but it aparently worked. Let us all know how you end up catching the fish. __________________ "Dream * Design * Build" Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless LeeMar - 48"x30"x20"

12/14/2006, 11:04 PM	#3
army67romeo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Glendale AZ Posts: 690	is he a arrrivseve eater? a bug catch trag works if he is arrgreiive __________________ Glendale and 75ave Current Tank Info: 150 peninsula lee-Mar 35gal fuge with G4 ASM 2x175se MH's. Tank 2 40 gal cube with a 250watt Mh phx bulb. Tank 3 120 two 250DE hqi with 4 t-5s and kent skimmer...

12/14/2006, 11:04 PM	#4
army67romeo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Glendale AZ Posts: 690	is he a arrrivseve eater? a bug catch trag works if he is arrgreiive __________________ Glendale and 75ave Current Tank Info: 150 peninsula lee-Mar 35gal fuge with G4 ASM 2x175se MH's. Tank 2 40 gal cube with a 250watt Mh phx bulb. Tank 3 120 two 250DE hqi with 4 t-5s and kent skimmer...

12/14/2006, 11:06 PM	#5
army67romeo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Glendale AZ Posts: 690	a big * __________________ Glendale and 75ave Current Tank Info: 150 peninsula lee-Mar 35gal fuge with G4 ASM 2x175se MH's. Tank 2 40 gal cube with a 250watt Mh phx bulb. Tank 3 120 two 250DE hqi with 4 t-5s and kent skimmer...

12/14/2006, 11:07 PM	#6
clintrandall Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,137	I tried the bottle trick with a yellow tang and actually had some luck...with every other fish! They would all go in, but he was taller and seemed nervous about it. I also had the issue of the fish darting around when I would go near the bottle so it might work to poke a hole and tie a piece of heavy string through it so you can pull it up if he goes in. Did you put food in the bottle? __________________ "The nudi got caught in a pump - he's gone The wrasse last night jumped to the floor he's now on I dropped a large rock on my frag of frogspawn Yet I can't stop reefing - what stuff am I on?" Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef ~ 75lbs LR ~ 250W 14kMH + 2 x 96w PC ~ 2 Hydor K4's ~ ASM G2 ~ Socal creations sump(they rock!)

12/14/2006, 11:23 PM	#7
owsi Moved On Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,484	Double post

12/15/2006, 08:03 AM	#9
blas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 370	Spear gun that thought has crossed my mind! LOL I am gonna give the bottle a few days then I'll try the bag and perhaps DYNOMITE! The key I think is gonna be patience : )

12/15/2006, 10:22 AM	#11
Rayman380 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 1,194	Try catching him at night with the lights out. This takes a litlle planning but has always worked for me. They will usually hide at night and are easier to trap. Good luck!

12/15/2006, 01:34 PM	#12
Philwd Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 4,057	I've tried the hook trick. Caught almost all my fish except the one I wanted to. Works great on aggressive feeders.

12/15/2006, 07:10 PM	#13
bnlimit10 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: glendale az Posts: 397	I dont know about your tank, but most of my fish normally at night they all hide in the same place, its kind of like their home. If you know where they will go once the lights go out, it would really be as simple as trapping them in said structure. either placing a clear bag infront of the hole they normally enter, so that when the lights go out, he swims straight into the bag, or once he is in that hole, take that rock out of that tank, and into another where you dont have any live rock so he will be an easy target. __________________ life is all about what you make of it, even in the darkest of times, there is always something to be Grateful about. Current Tank Info: 240 sps dominated tank, 90 mix reef

12/15/2006, 07:51 PM	#14
blas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 370	Thanks for all the ides I have not found where that turkey sleeps : ) I'll let ya know if I make the snag! Blas

12/16/2006, 07:29 PM	#15
blas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 370	OK so I have trapped the Orange Shoulder tang trouble is I want the other guy LOL!, I am thinking to go back at it in a few hours, I have been at it for most of the day. I ended up taking one corner of the tank using egg crate and getting the Bristolmouth to chase the Orange and the orange ran right into the corner the other guy is still out smarting me! Oh well at least for now he is safe. Blas

12/16/2006, 11:11 PM	#16
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	how big is he? I have a fish trap that has a drop door controlled by fishing line . Sit back on the couch and wait I also know how you feel . I have a PBT which I have had for many years and recently he decided to start splashing tonsof water all over the place and he is testing my last nerves. I knocked him in the side one time while he was going up for a splash and he quit for a few days but the stubborn fish is back at it . I think hes trying to start an electrical fire or something. Good luck. __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

12/17/2006, 09:34 AM	#18
blas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 370	The "Evil" Emperor Tang is about 4" long. Where did you get the traps, I am thinking on waiting this guy out since I prefer to keep the orange shoulder. He was harrasing him right up until the lights went out. Blas

12/17/2006, 09:40 AM	#19
Satori Cancer Sucks Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 3,134	I got mine from Marine Depot: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=UL1513 __________________ I'm reaching for the random or whatever will bewilder me. --Tool, Lateralus

12/17/2006, 09:55 AM	#20
clkwrk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mesa ,Az Posts: 10,257	Mine is homemade . Big long glass jar with and acrylic brace that runs along the bottom towards the front of the opening ( or top of jar) from there I have 2 pieces of acrylic with spacers in between to allow another piece ( the door ) drops down between the 2 which seals the jar shut . I operate the door by fishing line . If I dig it out I will take a pic . Here is a crude drawing the acrylic portion is held to the jar by zipties or rubber bands. __________________ ------- Feel free to use my photos for ONLY informative sites, education or enjoyment.All I ask is to include my Reef Central User id and where you got the photo ( RC).

12/17/2006, 08:56 PM	#21
blas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 370	Victory has been declared!!!! YES! I ended up buying a trap using the Orange Shoulder in a makeshift eggcrate cage to lure the Bristolmouth in and 8 hours later dropped the door!!!!! He will be going back to AA Monday, I have him in my sump. A long rewarding day. Side note the owner at Pets Inc. told me I could rent the trap, but unfortunately I stepped on the feeder tube so now its mine but thats ok big praise to him for that offer. Blas

12/17/2006, 09:39 PM	#22
Blakethebug Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mesa Posts: 321	way to go! i think i would have resorted to the spear gun idea myself but your patients certainly paid off __________________ Blake

12/18/2006, 06:52 PM	#23
auntdeb Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 385	Skip suggested the hook for us with our blue hippo tang. I was skeptical at first, but it worked like a charm!!!! We found some tiny hooks at Cabellas with about 12" of fishing line already attached to them. We got a pack of like 8 for less than $2. We used one to catch the fish and have extras for any other fish that decides to get nasty!