Do fish traps really work (1 Viewer)

[Triggerman]

I sold my place and the new owners are keeping the built in tank. My worry is that I have a nice Achillies tang (3.5 inches or so) and a captive breed Scribble angel (around the 3.5 inch size as well) in there, and the new owners may not have enough knowledge to keep them for their first tank. The achilles has never had ich (almost a year in tanks) and all my fish eat pellets. I once tried to get out a sohal in a old tank and I had to take out every last rock, to get him, with around 200 lbs in this tank I don't want to deal with that. Do any of you have any tricks that work, I tried to quickly net them while feeding and needless to say that didn't work. Also if I do get them out, is there any interest in them from fellow reefers ( It doesn't make sense to get them out just to sell them to one of the lfs, and then they end up in a random tank)?

 

[Mark L.]

I've used fish traps successfully. It depends on the fish how fast they will go in the trap. Buy a trap that has the feeding tube in it. Let the fish go 2-3 days without eating. Put food in tube and wait. Some fish go right in, some can take a couple days. In my experience tangs seem to be one of the easier fish to catch. they are pigs and go right in. Wrasses are the most skittish and stay clear until very hungry. Good Luck!!

I'd be interested in the Achillies tang if you catch him. I have a 240 gallon the he would looks great in!

 

[webster1234]

My Achilles is always the first in the trap followed by the angel. My trap has a feeding tube also and instead of frightening the fish by putting my hand in the tank to insert the tube, I take a small piece of hot water pvc pipe and just barely insert it in the hole in the top of the trap (so the fish doesn't get scratched up when you snag him) and leave the other end sticking out above the water line, secured to the edge of the tank with a tiny strip of duct tape. Then I drop pellets down the pipe and they slowly come out into the trap a few at a time. This gives me 15-20 seconds to step back from the tank with string in hand. It seems harder for the fish to resist when they see the food floating down and laying there on the bottom of the trap begging to be eaten. Works with PE Mysis too using a turkey baster. I have found for those hard to catch fish, a longer string, a beer, and a comfy recliner makes it easier also.

 

[FarmerTy]

Bought a used one 4 years ago. Best purchase ever!

https://youtu.be/bulm1Aqi-N0