Equipment of the Week: Fish Traps

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I would like for us to discuss Fish Traps for the equipment of the week.

At some point in time in the hobby you will have need of a fish trap whether it be for a sick fish, an aggressive fish, a coral nipping fish, or other various reasons. When you find yourself needing to catch a fish you will learn that just a simple net is usually not enough! In this case a good fish trap will go along way in saving your aquascape and sanity!

One trap that I have had my share of experience with has been an acrylic cylinder type trap similar to the one below. With this trap you use a piece of fish line or something similar and you sit and wait! Once the fish enters the trap you release the fishing line and the acrylic trap door will slide shut trapping the target fish. There will more than likely be collateral damage as I usually catch other fish besides the target fish as well.

A couple of tips for this type of trap are as follows:

1. Leave the trap in the tank for an extended amount of time to build trust with the fish.
2. Add food of course! If you're trying to catch a tang a good algae clip mounted to the inside of the trap works wonders.
3. Use a long piece of fishing line and stand or sit as far away from the tank as possible.
4. Patience young grasshopper!

There are many other different types of fish traps. Please share your experience with trapping fish as well. Thanks.

 

[k2parkstar]

I've never used one. I keeping meaning to research them because I really don't know anything about them, and i'm sure i'll need one, one day. Good looking advice though Rev.

 

[Aquaph8]

my trap is pretty much the same concept except its a square box. It has a place to put food in the back and a trap door with fishing string. Ive caught every fish Ive tried to so far. Luckily the one I want to catch is usually the most brave.

 

[ritter6788]

Rev, Is that a trap or a guillotine?

This is the one I use. It hasn't failed me yet.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14700

 

[BarbH]

Great info rev, by the way where can one find a tap like that?

Sent from my SCH-R720 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BigFeesh]

Clear two liter bottle with the bottom cut off and food at the cap end! punch a hole near the opening and tie fishing line to the hole! pull up when fish goes in!

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Hmm...I use the patience method. My fish eat their food from the same spot so I feed them then quickly turn off the lights and swoop in with a fish net. It has worked pretty well for me.

 

[larryl]

Great traps, I have never used one.

 

[Steelerfan747]

Thanks for the info. My current tank is so small that I'm hoping to one day have a tank I could actually fit one of those in

 

[RICKO]

Hi fellas
I have sum sort of mantis shrimp in my 130gal don't see him very often but do hear him,I put a couple of fish in the other day and all was fine till I seen something attack my bi color blenny happened so fast and thinking that's all it could be!!then 3 days later he went missing and haven't found any bits off him and he was so happy in there!!!any ideas how to trap him without stalking him all night cos he's crafty!!!