Catching a clownfish

[Brian1f1]

My percula female has transformed into a demon over the last week. Most of the time it just swims around, but every now and again it gets into one of my torches or hammers (seems to randomly select them) beats them up a little, hangs out
Inside a minute or two, then leaves and goes back to just swimming. Yesterday I caught it doing it to my prized Aussie gold torch. My jaw dropped open as I watched her suck a tentacle into her mouth like a noodle, bite it clean off, and spit it out. I stood there stunned watching a beautiful golden nugget waft around in the current wondering where I’d gone wrong in life.

Anyways, I’ve spent about three hours trying to catch it. Luring it with food, chasing it towards the surface.... I had to rearrange my dang reef tank. I tried blinding it with a flashlight before netting it... I’ve been close, but no dice.

Anyone here have any pro tips on how to catch a clownfish specifically? I want his butt out yesterday.

Thanks!

 

[Evan28395950]

Bump

 

[duberii]

I don't have any tips on how to catch the clownfish, but typically when a clownfish is trying to get used to the sting of an anemone, it'll nip at the tips of the tentacles. It seems to me like that's what's happening. Torches are pretty common for clownfish to host in, and they do pack a sting like an anemone. The torch can usually handle it, and if the tip floats around and lands somewhere, you maay get a new colony of torches, since sometimes torches lose the tips of their tentacles to reproduce anyway. In my opinion, it's nothing to worry about unless the corals start to die off. Sorry this isn't what you're asking for but that's my two cents

 

[starypotter]

They sell fish traps, a little food inside and a trap door that falls shut. People have lots of success using them for unwanted pests or bothersome critters. Not sure about a clownfish specifically but take a look online there's a bunch of different styles, never had experience myself but even just search fish traps on here and I'm sure you'll find people talking about which style trap has worked best for them.

 

[Brian1f1]

I don't have any tips on how to catch the clownfish, but typically when a clownfish is trying to get used to the sting of an anemone, it'll nip at the tips of the tentacles. It seems to me like that's what's happening. Torches are pretty common for clownfish to host in, and they do pack a sting like an anemone. The torch can usually handle it, and if the tip floats around and lands somewhere, you maay get a new colony of torches, since sometimes torches lose the tips of their tentacles to reproduce anyway. In my opinion, it's nothing to worry about unless the corals start to die off. Sorry this isn't what you're asking for but that's my two cents

I like your two cents. I hope it’s right ha

 

[408Dartfish]

I’m trying out the aqua medic fish trap in my tank right now. Letting my fish get used to it.

 

[Brian1f1]

I’m just torn on whether to let it play out as dubberi mentioned, or getting it out... it’s a nice Picasso pair, but the torches are my favorites, and with the shut down on collection (prices up on everything), I could never afford to replace the gold (was told it’s worth North of 400 now, I paid like 90...).

I’d like to keep both, but I’m afraid I won’t know when to pull the plug before damage is irreversible.

Decisions decisions. I might order the trap now and have it read to go...
The net business did more harm to my tank then anything else...

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fish traps. Not all of us have one. My trick has been to take plastic bags such as fish bags and block EVERY opening it can enter and then corner it and net it.

If you have a 3" net, you are going to be doing this all day. Get yourself at least an 8" net so you can trap it easier

 

[davocean]

I agree usually torches, hammer, frogspawn can handle and be a fine alternative for a nem host, had this many times myself, and agree it's just sucking on tentacles same as a nem, should be no big deal.

As for catching clown fish in particular, they are very heavy sleepers usually, I've caught many at night while sleeping in their host by just scooping them up w/ a cup or even by hand.

I've had times I've caught them this way, put in a container, watched them wake a minute or 2 later and freak on new surroundings, it's kinda funny

 

[Brian1f1]

Fish traps. Not all of us have one. My trick has been to take plastic bags such as fish bags and block EVERY opening it can enter and then corner it and net it.

If you have a 3" net, you are going to be doing this all day. Get yourself at least an 8" net so you can trap it easier

That’s it man... I’ve been using a 3 inch net. Bag idea is good. Without that a big net would be hitting coral as I chased. Speaking of, I ripped a few frog spawn tips chasing her yesterday....

 

[Brian1f1]

I agree usually torches, hammer, frogspawn can handle and be a fine alternative for a nem host, had this many times myself, and agree it's just sucking on tentacles same as a nem, should be no big deal.

As for catching clown fish in particular, they are very heavy sleepers usually, I've caught many at night while sleeping in their host by just scooping them up w/ a cup or even by hand.

I've had times I've caught them this way, put in a container, watched them wake a minute or 2 later and freak on new surroundings, it's kinda funny

Mine only hosts in any given thing for a few minutes and leaves... comes back later to something else. Nothing at night. Was thinking of trying to nab it after light out, unless I let it stay like your saying.

Thing is it didn’t just suck, it sucked the tentacle in, bit off the end of it, and spit it out. Is it normal for them to bite tentacles off torches? Will it stop after a bit? Another poster thought it would be ok too. So long as people generally think it won’t kill my gold torch I’m ok with watching and waiting... Just don’t want to lose the torch.

 

[davocean]

Should be fine, it's treating it same as a nem, tents grow back.

 

[MTBake]

I caught a maroon clown with fishing line, hook and piece of mussel before. Worked really well actually. I've also caught clowns while they're sleeping, with my bare hands. Never had much luck with nets or traps with clowns myself.

 

[RichReef]

Don't feed for a few days. No one will die.
Long glass vase.
Shoot food in.
Works every time for me.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I agree usually torches, hammer, frogspawn can handle and be a fine alternative for a nem host, had this many times myself, and agree it's just sucking on tentacles same as a nem, should be no big deal.

As for catching clown fish in particular, they are very heavy sleepers usually, I've caught many at night while sleeping in their host by just scooping them up w/ a cup or even by hand.

I've had times I've caught them this way, put in a container, watched them wake a minute or 2 later and freak on new surroundings, it's kinda funny

My oci clowns hosted on my Duncans and Aussi torches for over a year and never did the corals any harm. It took the duncans about 2 months to come to accept the "loving care" from those clowns, but never actually hurt them.

 

[seaplane]

Never have a problem catching a clown. Lights out, net them while sleeping.

 

[saltwaterlover]

I’m trying out the aqua medic fish trap in my tank right now. Letting my fish get used to it.

Where did you buy that aqua medic trap it looks great!

 

[408Dartfish]

Where did you buy that aqua medic trap it looks great!

I got mine from marine depot. They sell at BRS also. Dustin