How to catch fish in a reef tank?

[helidude]

Like most of you here I have too many hiding places for my fish.

2 weeks ago we bought a Coral Beauty Angel. He is always hiding behind the LR. We've seen him maybe 30 secs a day.

He has something wrong with one of his eyes and need to catch him to put him in the QT tank.

I really dont feel like moving out the 100 lbs of LR.

How do you guys do it?

Someone suggested netting him when he comes out to feed. He does'nt come out to feed.
Thank you.
Roy

[Alice]

Here's a couple of threads from the fish archives (you'll find our archives on the main forum page or at the drop down menu at the bottom of each thread.)

Catching Damsels

How to Catch A Wrasse

I think between these two threads about every method of conventional fish capture is discussed as well as some that aren't very conventional

Does your Coral Beauty have pop-eye?

Good luck,

Alice

[Ray1214]

Patience, Patience, Patience. Depending on what is wrong with his eye (popeye?) it may not be worth the hassle and just fortify his food and let him heal on his own. The best time to QT is at the beginning before you put him in the display but that is not the case here. I would think seriously about not causing any more undue stress unless y ou think that he has something that could hurt your tank.

Ray

[coralhead]

I have had reef tanks for years and only a couple of years ago I came up with this tactic for catching fish. I start by turning off all the lighting in the fish room except for the tank lighing. I sit on the floor and wait for the fish I want to remove to come out and swim in the open. I then turn off all tank lighting. Have a net and small flash light ready. I quickly scan for the fish location and lower the net in his direction and scoop him out. This works for me every time. It might take a couple tries but be patient. I have caught tangs, angels, anthias and everything else this way. Good luck.

[Alice]

Yup, jacklighting works well on fish

[ShirleyM]

I agree with Ray...

We don't try ... they usually get well on their own.

~ Shirley