[Earthboy17]

...DamselFISH that is.

I used 5 damsels to help cycle my tank (or, keep it cycling), and I'm getting ready to pull them out in a couple weeks to add fish that aren't jerks. (That's right, Damselfishes, I'm calling you out!)

Anyway, I've heard that catching them can be really tricky. I've heard all sorts of ways of catching them, including using barbless hooks.

Do you guys/girls have any personal success (or failure) stories that might help me?

Thanks!

Tom

[reefnoob1991]

Take down your rockwork and use two nets...very trick fellas.

[kh6sat]

Two nets work. I've also used "clear" containers as traps. Taking the rocks out will
make it alot easier.

[reefnoob1991]

Yeah I noticed clear containers works at the pet store.

[kh6sat]

I just lay the clear container down on the bottom of the tank with the opening on the side. Some fish will get curious enough to swim right in. You can also put some food in it near the back to lure them in. once they are in, put your hand or a net over the opening and pull it out.

[e_baer]

hmm, i need to catch my pseudo, and since i know it loves shrimp (live shrimp that are huge) i will put a live feeder shrimp into a clear plastic container and hopefully the pseudo will go in to battle, and i will take the contianer out with the pseudo in it.

[Tonz of fun]

Dont feed them for a few days then set a trap and get those rascally rabbits. Or go to the octopus rental store lol

[Earthboy17]

Octopus...now that's an idea...


I still kinda like the idea of using a barbless hook--i'm a fisherman, but I suppose that's likely not too PC on reef sites, eh?

I noticed that I don't read much about octopi on this site... are they not reef safe, eating all the fish? Is that the idea?

And any other ideas for catching the damsels?

[e_baer]

if i was using a hook, i would be worried about the other fish getting hooked. but then in your case on only have damsels.

[Tonz of fun]

lol it was a big joke dont do that they are nothing friendly. Dang octopus

[glampka]

Stick of dynamite works great!

[e_baer]

blow the entire tank up and half your home.

[lynnvangsnes]

Check into renting a small 3 ft moray eel for a couple of days...of course, then you gotta get him out!

[e_baer]

just wiggle your finger around in the tank!

[lynnvangsnes]

This from a guy who recently had a close encounter with a lionfish.

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by lynnvangsnes

This from a guy who recently had a close encounter with a lionfish.

Dooh, I can believe you went there Lynn!

[e_baer]

alright, JEEZ I KNOW I MADE A DUMB MOVE!!!!! your hurting my feelings!

[TreeHugger74]

I hear that if you make Dolphin noises..they come right to the top???

[Kimjo1]

OMG! I did the same thing to cycle my 75G. GOOD LORD.. After I spent hours and hours making my LR look just so.. i had to DISASSEMBLE all of it to get those buggers out!

GOOD LUCK! Take a valium before you begin and get a friend to help if you can. I was so MAD by the time i got them out I flushed them :/
Good luck, Kim

[reefnoob1991]

Yeah even in my 29 gallon i had to take down the LR for a sec and it still took me 20 minutes with TWO nets!

[Kimjo1]

do you have a pic of your decorator crab? I want one of those too..
Kim

[reefnoob1991]

Now he's covered in hair algae that he put on his back

[Kimjo1]

Originally Posted by e_baer

hmm, i need to catch my pseudo, and since i know it loves shrimp (live shrimp that are huge) i will put a live feeder shrimp into a clear plastic container and hopefully the pseudo will go in to battle, and i will take the contianer out with the pseudo in it.

Dang... I had a pseudo in my office tank and didnt know they ate shrimp. I put in a cleaner shrimp and the next day it was GONE! I was confused. SO I went and bought another one and the second i popped him in (and he was BIG) that danm pseudo ate his head off!

To boot I bought them all at the same store, the LFS guy said "thats odd" JERK!

Kim

[Kimjo1]

OMG! So cooool. I have never seen one in a tank, only online.. THANK YOU! He's awesome.
Kim

[reefnoob1991]

Yeah he's green camo now lol