Tips on catching/trapping a dottyback?

Reef AquaCult · Dec 5, 2019

My orchid dottyback has become too aggressive and is attacking any fish same size or smaller. Hides under rockwork as soon as it sees the net coming his way. I tried blocking his hiding spot to get him running but he finds new ones. Tried putting some food in a big net but he hasnt gone for that yet. I put a small piece of PVC near his cave hoping he might like to try it out but no success yet. I ordered an acrylic fish trap on Amazon, any other suggestions?

AdamNC · Dec 5, 2019

DIY bottle fish trap, google it. I caught a “killer” Neon Dottyback before in less then 10 mins with one.

Reef AquaCult · Dec 5, 2019

AdamNC said:
DIY bottle fish trap, google it. I caught a “killer” Neon Dottyback before in less then 10 mins with one.

Awesome that’s a great idea thank you! What did you use to weigh it down?

vaughnkingreefs · Dec 5, 2019

Same DIY a fish trap. Caught mine in 10 min also. Used the bottle with the sandwich bag setup. Just drop frozen food. Let him/her inspect. Back off the tank. Pull the bully once trapped! Very easy.

AdamNC · Dec 5, 2019

Nothing, just a cube of frozen Mysis and flooded it with water and it just sank. Curiosity got the best of him. Once they go in they can’t figure how to get out in a panicked rush when you go to get the bottle out. I did however move to the other side of the room and watched from a distance.

Reef AquaCult · Dec 5, 2019

AdamNC said:
Nothing, just a cube of frozen Mysis and flooded it with water and it just sank. Curiosity got the best of him. Once they go in they can’t figure how to get out in a panicked rush when you go to get the bottle out. I did however move to the other side of the room and watched from a distance.

Ok and you used a long string to pull it up quickly from the distance?