Tips needed: Catching fish in not so open spaced tank

[WallyTime7]

Hey reefers! Any tips on how I can catch a fish or two when there are a million hiding spaces? What has worked well without tearing up corals and making a mess?

I don't NEED any fish gone ASAP, but eventually I will run into a fish or two that are outgrowing my tank. Picture to showcase the many hiding spaces of my 180 gallon set-up.

 

[blaxsun]

Fish traps. The Nyos one is supposedly really good but may not work with your glass thickness.

 

[WallyTime7]

Fish traps. The Nyos one is supposedly really good but may not work with your glass thickness.

Thank you - Decent reviews, I'll give it a shot. My male lyretail is constantly chasing the females and knocking over crap. Gorgeous fish just time to part ways.

 

[dadnjesse]

I tried fish traps I actually caught every fish but the one I wanted to catch. I ended up draining about a 1/3 of the tank then taking half of my tank rock with corals out putting them in the water I drained and using a divider. After chasing him to the bare half it was just him and my net.

 

[WallyTime7]

I tried fish traps I actually caught every fish but the one I wanted to catch. I ended up draining about a 1/3 of the tank then taking half of my tank rock with corals out putting them in the water I drained and using a divider after chasing him to the bare half. Then it was just him and my net.

Yeah that's wild! My rockwork is intertwined so that's unfortunately not an option. The good news is I don't have to rush this and can try here and there.

 

[nothing_fancy]

I've been able to catch some tricky fish by submerging a large bag and then just wait, you can put some food in the bag

 

[btltez]

I've been able to catch some tricky fish by submerging a large bag and then just wait, you can put some food in the bag

Can you explain more? Like how did you submerge it? Just hold it until a fish went in? How long did it take? I cannot catch these fish that I want to move to another tank. Thanks!

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Hey reefers! Any tips on how I can catch a fish or two when there are a million hiding spaces? What has worked well without tearing up corals and making a mess?

I don't NEED any fish gone ASAP, but eventually I will run into a fish or two that are outgrowing my tank. Picture to showcase the many hiding spaces of my 180 gallon set-up.

My aquarium is relatively small compared to yours, this is just my suggestion..
you could make some kind of wall like polystyrene containers (fish shipment type) cut to similar shape of your aquascape to Try to move into an area that's away from from your aquascape, like the left side of your photo (more open area) gently/gradually manoeuvre into corner then net up, or use old frag racks/ crates just to gradually divide

 

[argiBK]

If you’re considering the ELOS trap, I’d also take a look at the TankMatez trap. Essentially the same design, it might be a little more effective as it has a small mirror in it which is irresistible for certain fish.

I’d recommend removing the swiveling door as it just gets in the way.

 

[nothing_fancy]

Can you explain more? Like how did you submerge it? Just hold it until a fish went in? How long did it take? I cannot catch these fish that I want to move to another tank. Thanks!

So, take a big ziplock bag, fully submerge it so Its filled with water, leave it there and sit there and wait for the fish to go in. You have to put it in a spot where the fish is likely to go in there with your flow off. You can use a stick to try to guide it in or put some food in the bag. I had a clown fish jump over my overflow once and got stuck in there and I was able to get it out using this method. Took hours.

 

[jda]

I stop feeding for a day or two and then put a tasty treat into an acrylic trap. A few fish usually go in there ASAP to get a meal. The other fish hang out by the door for a while, but eventually your fish will go in.

 

[Waters]

I either use traps or the lights out/on method. The latter is guaranteed to catch any fish that isn't sleeping somewhere that you can't reach.