How to catch a fire fish

[Sleepydoc]

I'm dealing with an outbreak of Velvet (originally though it was ich, but given the 50% mortality of my livestock and the later appearance I changed my working diagnosis.)

I have moved almost all of my fish to the QT/HT, given them a fresh water dip, a formalin dip and am treating with cupramine.

My plan is to leave my DT fallow for several weeks, however I have one fire goby that I can't catch. Every time I get near him with a net or any other container, he darts into the rock work. I've tired a trap and he doesn't go anywhere near it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Humblefish]

Those are a real PITA to catch.

Stop feeding the tank and put some mysis inside a bottle trap:

Once he goes in, you should have a few minutes to get the trap out before he can find the hole. At least that's how it usually works.

 

[MnFish1]

Or build some rocks around the trap so that it doesn't look so much like a trap. let it go in a couple times before dropping

 

[Sleepydoc]

yup - have a bottle trap in there right now. The little *******'s too smart to go in! I'll stop feeding for a few days to get him good and hungry and try again...

 

[MnFish1]

yup - have a bottle trap in there right now. The little *******'s too smart to go in! I'll stop feeding for a few days to get him good and hungry and try again...[/QUOTE

Just went through this with a rogue angelfish lol. The only was to get it trapped was to totally disguise the trap entrance so he didnt see it. Just saying in case it might help - but I spent 4 days in the meantime watching it try to attack the food through the trap - but never go to the door. If the only way it can see the food is through part where the door is - it might help. After I stacked some rock around my trap I had it caught in 5 minutes.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Leave the lid off and watch your tank closely, it'll jump out on its own in no time.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

When I have to catch fish in our 75g reef I stop all flow in the tank, i use a clear specimen container. I also use a green acrylic stick (just to get the fish to go in the other Direction.) I believe in net free catching for the safety of the fish so I do not ever use them. Firefish are definitely not the easiest to catch.. patience is the key to success. good luck!

 

[Humblefish]

Leave the lid off and watch your tank closely, it'll jump out on its own in no time.

 

[Crashjack]

Leave the lid off and watch your tank closely, it'll jump out on its own in no time.

If you want to speed the process, stick your water change hose in the tank.

 

[Sleepydoc]

Leave the lid off and watch your tank closely, it'll jump out on its own in no time.

Great - I spend the last year teaching him not to jump out and now I have to undo it!

If you want to speed the process, stick your water change hose in the tank.

Maybe stick the shop-vac hose in there?

When I have to catch fish in our 75g reef I stop all flow in the tank, i use a clear specimen container. I also use a green acrylic stick (just to get the fish to go in the other Direction.) I believe in net free catching for the safety of the fish so I do not ever use them. Firefish are definitely not the easiest to catch.. patience is the key to success. good luck!

Yeah, I've tried with an acrylic box, a net and an acrylic rod like you did. No dice no matter what I tried. I've left the 2L bottle trap in and have decided that he gets to go on a diet for the next few days. After that dinner will be inside the trap!