Rabbitfish gurus, step inside.... I need suggestions

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Ok I have a 6"+- goldspot rabbit fish. I know they get fairly large. I just witnessed the pig devour a red gorgonian that was newly placed and was opening beautifully. I knew they are a crapshoot with eating coral and I crapped out, it ate coral.

Now on to the question, what is the easiest way to catch a large, cryptic, toxic fish. I'm beyond not amused after watching the gorgonian being chomped into non existence. The rabbit has to go! I have a large trap, but im leaning towards netting when sleeping (when its not in the rock).

 

[JPM San Diego]

One trick I have heard is to wait until fish are sleeping and then turn on only red lights.
We see red light. Apparently fish do not or less so.
It may stay asleep giving you the chance to catch it.
I did this once with a Klein Butterfly and it worked really well.

 

[Dburr1014]

Ok I have a 6"+- goldspot rabbit fish. I know they get fairly large. I just witnessed the pig devour a red gorgonian that was newly placed and was opening beautifully. I knew they are a crapshoot with eating coral and I crapped out, it ate coral.

Now on to the question, what is the easiest way to catch a large, cryptic, toxic fish. I'm beyond not amused after watching the gorgonian being chomped into non existence. The rabbit has to go! I have a large trap, but im leaning towards netting when sleeping (when its not in the rock).

Good luck with that. How big is your tank?
I have always had good luck with 2 nets. Corner them and swoop in.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Good luck with that. How big is your tank?
I have always had good luck with 2 nets. Corner them and swoop in.

120g, I caught it before when it had flukes, but it was basically blind. She is a rather large and elusive heifer.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

One trick I have heard is to wait until fish are sleeping and then turn on only red lights.
We see red light. Apparently fish do not or less so.
It may stay asleep giving you the chance to catch it.
I did this once with a Klein Butterfly and it worked really well.

I've done the light trick before, its hit or miss. Also a very short window when it does work .

 

[i cant think]

Foxfaces and Rabbits are nightmares in general… I have to get most of the rockwork out before I can get my guy out of the tank.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Foxfaces and Rabbits are nightmares in general… I have to get most of the rockwork out before I can get my guy out of the tank.

Its not going to be fun, lol. It ate my new red gorgonian this morning

 

[JPM San Diego]

I agree the red light trick is time limited as the fish will eventually stir.
I used a fairly dim red head lamp. I would not use bright LED lights set to red only.
I also used the double net method to herd and scoop as even asleep the butterflyfish seemed to sense one net and move away from it.

In my large tank, just being set up I have two open passageways in my rock work and have "egg crate" light shields cut to fit across the tank. I will be able to trap fish into 1/3 of my tank which will make moving rock work much less of an issue.

I have also hear about using plastic bags set up as temporary barriers in the tank, plugging escape route, etc.
while I have never tried this I find the idea intriguing. The fish may not realize they can plow through plastic bags and stay in a section in which they can be netted out.

 

[Dburr1014]

I agree the red light trick is time limited as the fish will eventually stir.
I used a fairly dim red head lamp. I would not use bright LED lights set to red only.
I also used the double net method to herd and scoop as even asleep the butterflyfish seemed to sense one net and move away from it.

In my large tank, just being set up I have two open passageways in my rock work and have "egg crate" light shields cut to fit across the tank. I will be able to trap fish into 1/3 of my tank which will make moving rock work much less of an issue.

I have also hear about using plastic bags set up as temporary barriers in the tank, plugging escape route, etc.
while I have never tried this I find the idea intriguing. The fish may not realize they can plow through plastic bags and stay in a section in which they can be netted out.

Yes, I member a thread on r2r about the bag method.
OP, you should look that up. I think you have to shut off the pumps and put a rock on the bag to hold it in place. Really confuses the fish.

 

[jda]

Try at night. I have gotten some fish like this.

Stop feeding and use an acrylic trap. Other than some smaller fish that can eat off of the rockwork, all fish will go in there to eat when they get hungry enough. What usually happens is that some fish will go in there to eat and then the rest will get brave after the first one does. This can take a while, but it has always worked for me.

If you have a lot of coral, you might need to supply ammonia/ammonium if your fish are not being fed for a while. To each their own...

 

[DaJMasta]

Do you have another frag of the gorgonian? Not at all the same fish, but I once caught a yellow clown goby by putting the frag of millepora it was eating in a net and just waiting....

Maybe a bit in an acrylic trap could do it in short order, though you do risk the gorgonian.

 

[Sean Clark]

I have always had excellent luck with traps. It just takes some time with certain fish. Once you catch it feel free to send it my way I have a nice big gorgonian free home for it.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Try at night. I have gotten some fish like this.

Stop feeding and use an acrylic trap. Other than some smaller fish that can eat off of the rockwork, all fish will go in there to eat when they get hungry enough. What usually happens is that some fish will go in there to eat and then the rest will get brave after the first one does. This can take a while, but it has always worked for me.

If you have a lot of coral, you might need to supply ammonia/ammonium if your fish are not being fed for a while. To each their own...

I was considering a night raid on it. I get home from work at midnight usually. Saw the rabbit out in camo last night. Had to be back @ work at 6 or I would of tried with netting.

I have a acrylic trap, and its a nori & LRS\Rod's pig so that will more than likely be attempt #1.

Im still feeding with auto pellets, but the daily rods/lrs/frozen mysis and nori has stopped. It will be hungry enough, soon enough!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Do you have another frag of the gorgonian? Not at all the same fish, but I once caught a yellow clown goby by putting the frag of millepora it was eating in a net and just waiting....

Maybe a bit in an acrylic trap could do it in short order, though you do risk the gorgonian.

I still have a yellow gorg, she is a pig with frozen food & nori, should be able to bait her soon enough.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I have always had excellent luck with traps. It just takes some time with certain fish. Once you catch it feel free to send it my way I have a nice big gorgonian free home for it.

If you were local, it would be yours. Since rabbits aren't for a lot of reefers, the lfs will give me crapola for it and resell it for triple digits.

 

[Jeffcb]

Ok I have a 6"+- goldspot rabbit fish. I know they get fairly large. I just witnessed the pig devour a red gorgonian that was newly placed and was opening beautifully. I knew they are a crapshoot with eating coral and I crapped out, it ate coral.

Now on to the question, what is the easiest way to catch a large, cryptic, toxic fish. I'm beyond not amused after watching the gorgonian being chomped into non existence. The rabbit has to go! I have a large trap, but im leaning towards netting when sleeping (when its not in the rock).

I have actually drained my Reef 250 liter , 54 gallon display to catch coral eaters. Twice.

Drain it. Catch em. Put the water back in. Only takes a few minutes. Coral can be out of water for a little while.

I used a pitcher and kept them wet as it drained.

Good luck.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

There is the large one now, lol. I'm stalking her from work!

Thats a nero 5 powerhead for reference to size. The darling isnt small @ all!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I have actually drained my Reef 250 liter , 54 gallon display to catch coral eaters. Twice.

Drain it. Catch em. Put the water back in. Only takes a few minutes. Coral can be out of water for a little while.

I used a pitcher and kept them wet as it drained.

Good luck.

I've had to drain the tank to catch a maroon clown in my 60g, that wasn't too bad.

I'd need a minimum of two 32g brute cans plus the buckets I have to drain it down enough.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

There she is. I'll go after her tomorrow night. Regular sleeping spot has been next to corner overflow.

Too exhausted after 32 hours of work since saturday morning to try and catch a fish with venomous spines. I will try tomorrow or tuesday night.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Trap is set!

15 minutes in 1st customer, lol.