How to catch a wrasse

[lilbitreefer]

So I got this wrasse I cant catch. I have tried removing all the rocks, he burys in the sand. I have a trap in there now but he wont go anywhere near it. Any thought on some good food to entice him in there? he's the only fish in the tank as I want to get rid of him before i put anything else in there.

 

[whyoming.white]

Bottle trap worked for me to catch my 6 line. Took a few days but eventually he went in. Bait it with its favorite food. Don’t give up.

I have also used a small hook and line and I’ve caught fish from my display that way as well. Just make sure to file off the barb. I used a salmon egg hook.

 

[lilbitreefer]

oh I might just try that thanks

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Shuck a small clam and throw it on the half shell in the trap. That should catch his attention...

 

[HiddenUser]

Bottle trap or this have worked for me... https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-medic-fish-trap.html

 

[eatbreakfast]

Put a mirror in the back of the fish trap. The sight of a 'rival' will be too much for him to ignore.

 

[Mikedawg]

I run my hands through sand after removing everything and try to gently grasp him, even though I'd like to do otherwise after 30 minutes of trying.

 

[Triggreef]

Put a mirror in the back of the fish trap. The sight of a 'rival' will be too much for him to ignore.

that's fantastic never thought of that

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I too have had success with the bottle trap. Caught my sixline within 5 minutes with one.

 

[Triggreef]

If you see where her buries that makes it easy, just net a load of sand and you got him.

I've also used tiny fish hooks with barb bent down. I've had some so scared of the trap they wouldn't come out once the trap was in the tank. Problem with fishing hooks is not catching the ones you don't want to catch lol. But I've hooked quite a few with no problems. They heal right up.

 

[Chris8232]

When you get done messing with the traps. Take two nets and a stick. One person controls the nets the other sift the sand cautiously with the stick.Lights out, watch ware it buries itself, Ambush. This work for me before I had to go to hook and line

 

[Paul B]

I caught mine with a tiny hook that I made out of a pin. Here is the video.

 

[Scurvy]

Im undefeated using the bottle trap. A little mysis as bait has worked everytime for me. Never had to wait more than hour.

 

[Triggreef]

I tried bottle trap a few times for several days and never had any luck. There are some acrylic manufactured trap's that work well though.

 

[Mike220]

Yeah, I try to trap the green wrasse, but no luck

 

[AnakinReefWalker]

Put a mirror in the back of the fish trap. The sight of a 'rival' will be too much for him to ignore.

I used the bottle trap and mirror with great success. Adding a mirror is a great idea, plus get some food in there. I used to catch my old Sixline

 

[lilbitreefer]

Going to try the mirror method before I completely drain the tank every other method has failed

 

[Deinonych]

Bottle trap or this have worked for me... https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqua-medic-fish-trap.html

+1 on the Aqua Medic trap. I usually mount it on the glass with powerhead magnets at the level in the tank where the wrasses swim. I'm 3 for 3 in catching them this way.

 

[lilbitreefer]

He’s too smart. Finally had to drain my tank enough to coned him so he couldn’t go far.

 

[lilbitreefer]

So I tried every method mentioned. None of them worked, he was too smart and wary of clear objects. He is finally caught. I created an wall with plastic mesh I bought at walmart. I think you can get it at any craft store. I ziptied three sheets together. Works great because I was able to section off half of the tank and then get him cornered. Unfortunaly, the mesh was not tall enough, so that was the reason behind draining the tank so much. Last time I tried it he swam over the mesh. Thanks everyone for the help.