I cant catch this yellow tang! Help!

[xxkenny90xx]

This fish is way too smart.

First i tried leaving a big net in the tank for a week and putting food in it and he never came near it.

I've been starving the tank now and only putting food in a fish trap and he wont go in. I have literally had times when both of my other tangs are in there and could be caught but never the yellow.

Ive also considered hitting it with some bright light in the middle of the night to daze it but of course he sleeps in the back behind my rock structure.

Im not against using fishing line and hook but hes so skittish and im not sure how to avoid hooking all of my other fish before him.

Ugh i dont know what else to try, help!

 

[xxkenny90xx]

 

[Sod Buster]

A tiny hook w/ a treat like you said already. Pinch the barb down or file it off. Don't rip it's lip pulling it out.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

 

[xxkenny90xx]

A tiny hook w/ a treat like you said already. Pinch the barb down or file it off. Don't rip it's lip pulling it out.

Ya this is the direction im leaning. Do you know what size hook would work? I have a feeling I wont have that size in my tackle box.. Have you done this successfully before? I already have someone that wants to pick him up so I dont want to damage him

 

[nereefpat]

Tangs are usually easy to trap with a fish trap.

If not, the high and dry method works well for tangs. How big is the tank?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

High and dry?? Tank is 112 gallon with tons of rock and hiding places.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Evening,

The last trick I have in my arsenal is boxing him in. I keep some plastic screening around. The stuff you can sometimes find at craft stores used for knitting and needlepoint. It is somewhat stiff but also has holes. I use it for tons of things. In past I have gotten a size big enough to start slowly section off the tank until I section him off into a corner. Basically a temporary wall in the tank.

this is an example. Allows you to cut down his area.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

This is the smallest hook i have, I feel like it's still too big, what do you think?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Evening,

The last trick I have in my arsenal is boxing him in. I keep some plastic screening around. The stuff you can sometimes find at craft stores used for knitting and needlepoint. It is somewhat stiff but also has holes. I use it for tons of things. In past I have gotten a size big enough to start slowly section off the tank until I section him off into a corner. Basically a temporary wall in the tank.

this is an example. Allows you to cut down his area.

Oooh i like this idea! Im getting a bit impatient as I've been try to catch it for 2 weeks but I think I'll give this a shot before I use the hook method. All I have on hand is egg crate, is that fine or is the stuff you linked somehow better?

 

[Sod Buster]

Way big. Try the knitting wall 1st. I have tiny little brook trout hooks that I've used.

 

[nereefpat]

High and dry?? Tank is 112 gallon with tons of rock and hiding places.

You drain the tank, leaving a few inches in the bottom. Then you can easily catch it.

Then pump the water back in. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. With a couple rubbermaids and a largish pump, it doesn't take very long.

I have caught damsels, wrasses, and blennies with a hook. I don't like the hook for the tang.

 

[tehmadreefer]

I’ve used the glass from my living room tables before, use it as a trap on the corner of the tank and since it’s glass it usually doesn’t know it’s trapped in and then scoop with a net. Otherwise drain the tank. Tangs are no fun catching in larger tanks for sure!

 

[jazzfisher]

Good luck! I have a mated pair of scissor tail dartfish I need to catch (getting too big for my tank) . Does the fish trap seem to work otherwise- where did you get it?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I like the stuff I use because it is flexible. You can fasten sheets together to make it the dimensions of the tank. The egg crate is too stiff. Gotta be carefull around coral and stuff. Also with the flexible stuff I can kind of guide the fish . Maim thing is watch those rock and coral. That’s is where the plastic mesh is a bit more forgiving.

Just keep cutting down the tank section by section until he is in the corner.

 

[grisha]

Try 8” section of 6” of pvc pipe on the sand bottom near rick structure. Put small rocks in it.
Teach fish to hide there when you “try catching” it. In few days wait for tang to go in and close both ends with large nets

 

[xxkenny90xx]

It works great! Almost all of my other fish go into it all the time. Its just an acclimation box that baited and tyed some fishing line to the door so i can pull it closed when the fish enters

 

[xxkenny90xx]

It works great! Almost all of my other fish go into it all the time. Its just an acclimation box that baited and tyed some fishing line to the door so i can pull it closed when the fish enters

Good luck! I have a mated pair of scissor tail dartfish I need to catch (getting too big for my tank) . Does the fish trap seem to work otherwise- where did you get it?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

You drain the tank, leaving a few inches in the bottom. Then you can easily catch it.

Then pump the water back in. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. With a couple rubbermaids and a largish pump, it doesn't take very long.

I have caught damsels, wrasses, and blennies with a hook. I don't like the hook for the tang.

Ah gotcha. I have my doubts because he runs to the back of the tank at the first sign of trouble but this seems easy so I'll give this a shot first thing!

 

[Cory]

Lay a big nylon curtain on the sand. Wait until hes comfortable with it. Then scoop him up.