I can't seem to catch my damselfish. I have tried tricking him with food, pushing min away from hidding places, among many other things that yielded no results. Does anyone know of anyway to catch him without pulling all of the live rock from the tank?
2007-09-21 16:21:49 · 5 answers · asked by janelgirl 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
two nets isn't really going to help (although I like the input), only because he can swim into the live rock in various places that the net is too big for. I would prefer not to disturb the live rock. As for the BB - that's hysterical!! My husband and I are both cracking up! LOL :-)
2007-09-21 16:48:24 · update #1
How big is this fish? Try getting a 2-3 liter soda bottle and cutting off the top part, just where it begins to become straight along the sides (you'll end up with a piece that looks like a funnel and one that looks like a wide-mouthed vase). Cut off the very top so it's large enough for the damsel to fit through, but not much space to spare. Invert the top and put it into the bottom of the bottle and drop some of the damsel's favorite food inside. Put this in the tank and allow to fill with water. You may need to add something for weight so it doesn't float. When the damsel eneter through the "funnel" to get the food, it will tend to follow the sides to find a wat out, and just find the "corners" where the two pieces come together. See link for pictures: http://www.floridadriftwood.com/fish_trap.htm
If your damsel is too smart or too large for this, you can try the same with a wide-mouthed jar and string around the neck. You'll have to be fast, though, to stand the jar upright and lift it out of the water (and put a lid on it so the fish doesn't jump). Lowering the water level can help, as long as you don't expose any live rock if you have it in the tank.
The only choice you have after all these is to deconstruct any caves so there's nowhere to hide, and use two nets (and maybe another person) to try and trap it in a corner.
2007-09-21 16:47:00 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Use two nets. Sometimes the buggers get away from you with one by hiding, but it's easier to catch them with two nets. Assuming you're coordinated enough to do so. ;) Good luck!
2007-09-21 16:38:50 · answer #2 · answered by Maebnus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ooh im sry the food trick worx with my fishes... here is wat i wuld do... when it is dark, wait really quietly by the tank and gaze at it without looking suspicous... fishes r smart... then u carefully put your net in a spot where u bet tge damselfish will come... im sry but u may have to wait... when he rests on ur net, carefully but fast, pull the net up and put him where he is supposed to go... good luck!!!
2007-09-21 17:02:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
looks like you got one stubborn fish! I bet he thinks the net is a bigger fish trying to eat him. he is swimming for his life! Just keep trying I hope you manege to catch him
2007-09-21 16:53:20 · answer #4 · answered by ♪♥ ♥♪ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let him swallow a BB and use a magnet. LOL
Just joking around. Seriously, have you used a net?
2007-09-21 16:29:11 · answer #5 · answered by ~SheSul~ 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋