Bully in the tank

[ScubaDoo613]

One of the first fish I ever purchased was a domino damsel, and now its just a major bully in my tank. Don't get me wrong, I think its a beautiful fish but now that its grown to a large size I need to get it out of my tank. Unfortunately, this is no easy task especially since it now seems to know I want it gone and shoots into a crevice every time I go near the tank with a net. How have you removed bullies from your tank before? Or do you think this is a hopeless venture.

 

[Sailfin11]

Depending on the size of your tank, I've had success draining the tank to a low level (at least 1/4 height) and catching the fish with a net.

 

[jlts21]

spend the money and buy an acrylic trap. It takes time (you need to let the fish get comfortable eating out of it), but it is definitely worth it. No moving rock work, no draining your tank, no frustration when you can't catch it with a net.

 

[bdesign]

We have four Azure Damsels that are pure terrors.
We tried three types of traps with no success; every other fish went into them except the Damsels.

We ended up filling a 44-gallon Brute can with water drained from the DT and transferred all fish to it.

We "easily" caught ALL fish except the Damsels.

We then drained the DT TO THE SANDBED, but the Damsels hid within the rockwork NOWHERE to be found.

Defeated, we began to refill the DT, and within minutes, guess who emerged?

...and guess who still has four Azure Damsels in their DT?

Good luck

 

[ScubaDoo613]

spend the money and buy an acrylic trap. It takes time (you need to let the fish get comfortable eating out of it), but it is definitely worth it. No moving rock work, no draining your tank, no frustration when you can't catch it with a net.

I will look into that. I have seen tutorials on home made traps, but that sounds way easier!

 

[ScubaDoo613]

We have four Azure Damsels that are pure terrors.
We tried three types of traps with no success; every other fish went into them except the Damsels.

We ended up filling a 44-gallon Brute can with water drained from the DT and transferred all fish to it.

We "easily" caught ALL fish except the Damsels.

We then drained the DT TO THE SANDBED, but the Damsels hid within the rockwork NOWHERE to be found.

Defeated, we began to refill the DT, and within minutes, guess who emerged?

...and guess who still has four Azure Damsels in their DT?

Good luck

Wow...These fish are definitely smart thats for sure

 

[Waterislife]

After the tanks been black for a few hours no lights go in there with your phone and see if the fish is out in the open if he is he's easily scooped up some fish like the float in open water during the nighttime

 

[nereefpat]

Small hook and line. Cut the barb off the hook with sidecutters. Bait with chunk of shrimp.

 

[ScubaDoo613]

Small hook and line. Cut the barb off the hook with sidecutters. Bait with chunk of shrimp.

I contemplated this...but this is last resort, don't want to cause stress/damage to the fish. But, gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[evolved]

A fish trap with a mirror at the back can often do wonders to catch a bully too.

 

[Jesterrace]

One of the first fish I ever purchased was a domino damsel, and now its just a major bully in my tank. Don't get me wrong, I think its a beautiful fish but now that its grown to a large size I need to get it out of my tank. Unfortunately, this is no easy task especially since it now seems to know I want it gone and shoots into a crevice every time I go near the tank with a net. How have you removed bullies from your tank before? Or do you think this is a hopeless venture.

Home made fish trap from a Dasani/Aquafina/etc. Water Bottle. Cut off the top and fold in the top to create a funnel. Weigh it down with substrate from your tank and only feed the trap for a few days, add in a mirror to help get it's attention. Or you can get something like this from Amazon or Bulk Reef Supply:

 

[Jesterrace]

spend the money and buy an acrylic trap. It takes time (you need to let the fish get comfortable eating out of it), but it is definitely worth it. No moving rock work, no draining your tank, no frustration when you can't catch it with a net.

Homemade with a bottle or an acrylic trap are the best methods. Least stressful on the owner and the other fish you want to keep in the tank. Moving Rockwork and Draining tanks often cause more problems than they solve and the idea of netting a fish in a decent sized tank with lots of hiding places is akin to finding a needle in a haystack IMHO.