to catch a fish...

[stryder]

OK, I have an issue. I want to start by saying that I consider myself to be quite agile and athletic, but when I need to catch and remove a fish from my 130gal reef for whatever reason (sickness, incompatibility, etc.. ) it is next to impossible. I have spent hours with my hand in the tank with the net. I have tried all the approaches I can think of: waiting in open water for the best position to nab em from, frantically chasing, the 2-handed scare and net, and even dismantling my reef into buckets ( not to mention about an hour and a half to catch my spotted hawk ). There must be an easier way!

I just thought I would vent

I consider myself fortunate to have this resource to discuss my tank issues and questions and share the odd story

 

[snapcrackler]

Try a bottle trap. Don't feed 'em for a couple days and then bait the trap.

http://www.floridadriftwood.com/fish_trap.htm

 

[stryder]

That's a good one in some cases, and will try it next time but sometimes the fish is sick and won't eat or show interest in food and this is not a "lure".

It still may work though....thanks!

 

[steve-s]

If the trap does not work, the method I use is to section off the tank. You can get thin plexi-glass like the kind that is used for cheap picture framing and section the tank off to a smaller area where the fish is "hold up". This allows you to only remove a smaller amount of stuff to catch the animal and hopefully reduce the stress on the rest of the inhabitants...

Cheers
Steve