NEED HELP CATCHING FISH

[fishnchip]

As you can tell by the title, I need help catching my Orchid Dottyback. Rearranging the scape is out of the question so I need your best DIY fish traps and tricks! I'm currently trying the inverted water bottle but the dottyback is a little skeptical. I tried the classic net and the fish is too fast lol. PLEASE HELP!!

 

[opakapaka]

How big is the tank? Your best method if all else fails is to drain the tank and refill it, a few buckets with a hose and pump should do.

 

[fishnchip]

How big is the tank? Your best method if all else fails is to drain the tank and refill it, a few buckets with a hose and pump should do.

32 Gallons. I rather try other methods of catching it before tearing the tank apart thanks though!

 

[opakapaka]

32 gallon will prob take you no more than 10 mins besides you aren’t tearing the tank apart just lowering the water level so you can trap and catch the fish....if your aquascape is stabile then you have nothing to worry about

 

[BornHandy]

Have you put any food in the trap? I had that problem once, and the same thing - the fish avoided the trap - til I added pellets.

 

[davocean]

You don't need to tear tank apart draining it, and it's actually a pretty good solution many of us have done.

Scoop a well in sand, drain into brute, catch fish, pump water back in.

I agree I've done this in about 10 minutes for fish I've spent days trying to catch, net, hook or trap

 

[fishnchip]

Have you put any food in the trap? I had that problem once, and the same thing - the fish avoided the trap - til I added pellets.

Yes I've added some flakes. He'll peck around but won't go in

 

[fishnchip]

You don't need to tear tank apart draining it, and it's actually a pretty good solution many of us have done.

Scoop a well in sand, drain into brute, catch fish, pump water back in.

Might try it but my only issue is is that I have anemones on my highest point and I have a bunch of corals all around. Will this harm the nems and corals?

 

[davocean]

Might try it but my only issue is is that I have anemones on my highest point and I have a bunch of corals all around. Will this harm the nems and corals?

Corals and nems are exposed on reefs half a day at times on low tides.
My magnifica sits high and dry on every WC
So no, should be no issue.

 

[mattzang]

in a twist of irony, i recently tried every trick in the book to get rid of a sixline wrasse.. to replace it with an orchid dottyback.

i wasn't successful, that fish was too cautious of anything new. i emptied about half of my tank water, along with several rocks, and then got him. i was hesitant to drain the tank myself, but in the end, it really wasn't that big of a deal. i'd go that route if i were you.

also, why you do u want to get rid of the orchid? don't tell me i might have to do it all over again!

 

[davocean]

in a twist of irony, i recently tried every trick in the book to get rid of a sixline wrasse.. to replace it with an orchid dottyback.

i wasn't successful, that fish was too cautious of anything new. i emptied about half of my tank water, along with several rocks, and then got him. i was hesitant to drain the tank myself, but in the end, it really wasn't that big of a deal. i'd go that route if i were you.

also, why you do u want to get rid of the orchid? don't tell me i might have to do it all over again!

Possible you may have traded one butthead for another

 

[fishnchip]

in a twist of irony, i recently tried every trick in the book to get rid of a sixline wrasse.. to replace it with an orchid dottyback.

i wasn't successful, that fish was too cautious of anything new. i emptied about half of my tank water, along with several rocks, and then got him. i was hesitant to drain the tank myself, but in the end, it really wasn't that big of a deal. i'd go that route if i were you.

also, why you do u want to get rid of the orchid? don't tell me i might have to do it all over again!

Haha I’ll probably have to do the same. The orchid is the largest fish in the tank being that I have a smaller tank. It picks on my blenny, killed a pair of gobies, and has pestered the inverts. I want to add some other more peaceful fish and I’m worried if I do he’ll pester them too. Wish this guy was better behaved as he really is a beautiful fish

 

[mattzang]

Possible you may have traded one butthead for another

heh, maybe.. seems like everyone had mostly only good things to say about the orchid. hopefully not!

 

[fishnchip]

Corals and nems are exposed on reefs half a day at times on low tides.
My magnifica sits high and dry on every WC
So no, should be no issue.

Might have to give this a try tomorrow! Thank you!!

 

[mattzang]

Haha I’ll probably have to do the same. The orchid is the largest fish in the tank being that I have a smaller tank. It picks on my blenny, killed a pair of gobies, and has pestered the inverts. I want to add some other more peaceful fish and I’m worried if I do he’ll pester them too. Wish this guy was better behaved as he really is a beautiful fish

ah yeah, mine is the smallest fish in the tank. i don't plan on adding any small slender fish so hopefully it'll be good.

just don't replace it with a sixline! lol

 

[fishnchip]

ah yeah, mine is the smallest fish in the tank. i don't plan on adding any small slender fish so hopefully it'll be good.

just don't replace it with a sixline! lol

will do! I actually have a Tanaka Wrasse in QT

 

[davocean]

heh, maybe.. seems like everyone had mostly only good things to say about the orchid. hopefully not!

I think the orchids have been claimed to be less problematic, and hope so for you, but IMO all dotys can potentially be mean.

 

[fishnchip]

okay so I just drained the entire tank and couldn't get it . it wedged itself under the rockwork. what now?

 

[shoelaceike]

Best way - after lights off, make sure room is pitch black for a few hours. Suddenly turn all lights on, this will make the fish disoriented and can easily be scooped up.

 

[fishnchip]

Best way - after lights off, make sure room is pitch black for a few hours. Suddenly turn all lights on, this will make the fish disoriented and can easily be scooped up.

Only problem is is that the fish sleeps in a tiny whole at night