How to catch a Damsel??

[nitratehater]

I've been starting a new tank. It's not all new,because the rock is my old rock, so the cycling is minimal. i also brought a Blue Devil Damsel into the new tank. Just last week I added some gobies (2) to do some of the tilling, etc.
Well, the damsel kinda' took control of the new tank. He's a real tough guy and I never even see the gobies. if they dare pop their heads out the Damsel will bum rush them and they'll be gone in a puff of sand.

Bottom line, who wants a Damsel with something to prove. For $3.99 i'd rather flush him (actually, i'd bring him back to my fish guy to resell).

Problem is, before my net hits the water he's hidden among 80 lbs of rock. How can I get him? I need to put a hit out on him, but who will get the job done? His lease is up!

[almostdiva]

you can trap him, sort of scoop him into a plastic container, but that's hard. The easiest way is to drain much of the water out of your tank (leave about 2 inches, remove most of the rock and get him that way. He has less of the tank to run it. Sounds annoying, but isn't really.

Good luck!

[Poseidon]

Good LUCK!

I think almostdiva is exactly right! I never could catch my damsel... Till he jumped out of the tank!

[Samper]

Remove your rock then net them is about the only way you'll get em out.

[underseaworld]

Maybe a shotgun............. Only way I know how is to take the tank down to about 2" of water. And then good luck... I know not much help. But most of us here have gone through it.

[boo2boy]

damn i have the same problem.....Do you think some kind of fish catcher would work?....If anyone has tried it can you let us know cause i really want my damsels out too but dont want to destroy the tank.

[s1214215]

EASY WAY.......

look online at www.marinedepot.com
they have a fish trap -see through pipe with a trap door and compartment for bait food. I bought one and it was fantastic for getting a pesky angel out that I couldnt net. Just dont feed the fish for a bit, bait the trap and watch the fish swim in. The only thing I couldnt catch with it was an eel - way to smart :eek3:

[nitratehater]

actually, guys, i got him weeks ago. i forgot about this thread till the email. i bought a trap from Foster Smith. it's like a 9 inch square acrylic box with a swivel door. there's some fishing line attached to the door. i starved him for about two days with the trap in place sitting on the bottom. then i turned the pumps off and squirted some food inside the trap with a turkey baster. he went in and my wife pulled on the line. i flushed that piece of s%#t and liked it.


i blame him for killing my black and white clown.