Ideas? Need to catch a wrasse...

[Mrs Smith]

Hi all,

Our large twin-spot wrasse has finally worn out his welcome. We took him in from a friend who had to downgrade, but he's being a lot more trouble than he's worth. Unfortunately, he's also a crafty little booger, and moves my corals around (usually on top of each other.) I have placed nets in the tank hoping to get the fish accustomed to seeing them, but I don't think he's gonna be easy to catch. He also dives into the DSB (yeah, yeah, I know. That's why he's going) to hide, making it even harder to corner him.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Help!

Danielle

[kita_katan]

when I had to catch my hawkfish cause he ate my royal gramma about three min after I put him in the tank

I tried everything to catch him with the nets and all...then I thought about it and came up with a plan... I didn't feed my tank any food for about four or so days then I went to feed then he came right up to the top and got him

Just my suggestion, happy hunting

[Alice]

Can you see where he goes when he dives for the sand? Or does he head straight under the rocks? If you've got enough open area, use one hand to hold the net in front of where he's at in the sand and use the other hand to "tickle" him up out of there. Legal Disclaimer: Where a glove if you've got bristleworms in the sand!

Kita: Darn Hawkfish! We had one that came back to the shop three times! (We did warn people that he was predatory.) The last time was because he waited by a jawfish's hole and then when the Jaw popped his head out the Hawk bit it clean off! Mr. Nasty Hawkfish now lives with some great big triggers, LOL.

[Mrs Smith]

We're hoping to grab him at feeding time. The only problems is that our naso and yellow tangs are also aggressive feeders. We've never actually seen him enter the sand, so it's probably back behind the rocks (not that we haven't watched and watched - the minute we turn, he goes.) Good thought, though...

Well, now we wait.

[asmith]

Well, We tried the nets tonight and didn't have any luck. I then tried to go fishing with a small hook and some shrimp. I had him on the line, but didn't set the hook well enough and he got away. After the first attemp he refused to attack the shrimp again. I will have to try again tomorrow. At least the neighbor got some entertainment while watching me fish in my tank.

Andrew

[Alice]

LOL Andrew!

You should have videotaped it and called it "Wrasse Masters!"

[(B)reef Encounter]

Hi Andrew,

I had the same problem with a Wrasse. I borrowed a fish trap from my LFS, just a small acrylic box with a drop down lid that was attached to a release string. I didn't feed the tank for two days, he was so hungry, he swam into the box before my hand was out of the water.I tried all the methods you've described so far to no avail. If you can find a trap it will work.

[asmith]

Bringing this back to the top with update. I tried the fish hook trick again this afternoon and caught him on the first try. I set the hook hard enough to pull him completely out of the tank and into a waiting net. He is now sulking in the sump, awaiting his return trip to the LFS. The lessons I learned from this are that you have to set the hook hard enough to catch him the first time, cause he isn't going to give you two chances in one day. You also have to get him out of the tank ASAP. They can get off the hook pretty easily with the barbs filed off, so you shouldn't try to fight him and wear him down before pulling him into the boat. Shut the pumps off so you can place the hook accurately. Let some of the other fish nibble the bait. I let our damsels have a few free bites and he went into a feeding frenzy in order to get the food before the damsels ate it.

Andrew (Master Wrasse Fisherman)

[Doug1]

hehehee i am sensing a whole new mail order biz in the making.
Welcome to WrasseMAsters, purveyors of fine reef tackle since 2002

[cath]

Yesserreee, Doug! House calls and everything!

Good job, Andrew!

[trmills]

Years ago, I bought an Ultralife fish trap. Cost about $20-$25. I've used it maybe 8 times over the last 5 years. Pesty little six-line wrasse, coral beauty and recently a flame angel that began picking at some LPS corals, and a blue damsel to name a few.

I have to say that this fish trap is by far one of the handiest pieces of equipment that I have sitting around when I need it.

The flame angel was fine as far as I could tell. Had it about six weeks. Then I noticed my moon coral was pulled-in and not fat and plump as usual. Took about three days for me to catch sight of the flame angel striking the monn coral as it strolling by. One confirmed pick was all it took. I retreived the trap in the box, blew the dust off the box (grin), took the trap out and put it in the tank. I put a cube of brine shrimp in the back, unrolled the fishing line from the trap door and sat on the couch, with a beer, about 8-feet away from the tank. I waitted and watched. The flame angel always was shy and skidish and always swam in the rocks. My yellow tang and purple tang are buddies and are always together out of the rocks. The tangs went into the trap after 10 minutes or so. They were both in and out, but the flame angel never came out of the rocks. In another 10 minutes, the flame angel, seeing the tangs go into the trap and get food, decided to check it out. That's all it took. Happens like that every time. Great fishn' from the couch while drinking a beer. Don't get much better than that!!!

I've read quite a few threads about using nets and such. I have to say, this trap is the easiest to use and I never dread having to capture a fish that isn't working out.

Just my 2 cents worth (was more like 15 cents, huh?)

-Terry

[Mrs Smith]

Actually, a trap probably would have worked - we just couldn't find one. We tried to rig up one, (with a large bag) but he wouldn't go near it. Anyway, problem solved. Hopefully, now we can get some snails to survive without becomeing Hors d'voures.

Danielle

[asmith]

Originally posted by Doug1
hehehee i am sensing a whole new mail order biz in the making.
Welcome to WrasseMAsters, purveyors of fine reef tackle since 2002

Not a bad idea. Actually, next time I think I might sell advanced tickets to anyone who wants to come watch. Or maybe I could be like those guys who catch the alligators in Florida. Reefers could call me up when they need to get rid of a fish. I could show up with my ultralight rod and tackle box and catch their fish for them. I could charge them $50 per fish plus 25% of the ticket sales.

Andrew

[yardboy]

I cannot believe it! I was just before going for the hook and line trick. I heard my wife call me, and found her chasing that darn tomato clown with the net and the lights timed out! Twenty minutes later, I went after him with the flashlight and net. He was quite lethargic, and very easy to catch! So surprised that it was so easy after being so hard for so long. His bta died (no more anemones, okay?) and he went ballistic as a result. Tearing up corals, tossing frags, making a major crater in the center of the tank, and covering everything with sand. He now resides in the "holding tank"(sump) until I can get him to an lfs who will trade me something for him. They'll probably sell him as "Nemo" to some unsuspecting, indulgent parent.
All I know is I can't handle his destruction any more, and I'll be VERY careful about what I put in my tank, fish-wise.
Oh, and for anyone who feels sorry for him, he is 5 inches long in a 70 gallon tank, the product of a sight-unseen internet order. And actually, he'll be going to the lfs who maintains the 25,000 gallon tank at the local seafood grill!
Night everyone. And finally, I've got to get a red filter for my flashlight. I couldn't believe what the tank looked like after dark!

[Alice]

I thought I was having deja vu or else the Smith's had another rogue wrasse until I looked at the date on the thread

Congrats on catching the bugger.

Oh, and don't stay up too late with that flashlight, lol.

Alice