Catching a damsel

[jrawk1120]

I’m looking for any insight here.

I set up a FOWLR for my larger fish that aren’t really all that reef compatible but not really unsafe for reefs.

I’ve relocated my
2 clown trigger (3” and 5”)
Vliamingi Tang (7”)
Blue line trigger (4”)
Scopas tang (4”)
Green Bird Wrasse (8”)

And last and furthest from least, my favorite
Pink Tail trigger (6”)

The hardest was the Green bird wrasse. He was weary of the trap but after not eating for a day, I lured him with a clam.

I used the traps made by tankmatez. Excellent traps. I’ll include a couple pictures. (AI just cleared up the pics)

All that is left to remove is this damsel. 3” of absolute hatred. The hatred is mutual. He beats the snot out of anything I put in there. It’s very weary of the traps. I have 2 sizes.

I know I can remove rock and corner it into a net but that in itself would be a day of removal, however much time to catch that little prick, and reassembly probably another day. I’m hoping this is not the path.

Are there any methods that you have used that have been successful?

Currently I’m thinking of just not feeding for a day and putting an

openand thawed clam in the trap.

 

[rayadog]

This will sound tough but as that Damsel is a unit, more than a day’s famine might lure him into the trap. And if you only feed in the trap you’ll have the best odds.

I doubt it’s the trap itself but could try other variations like a weighted bug box or something.

 

[BryanM]

never had luck with fish traps. I had to remove 1/2 my rock to catch a red coris wrasse. GL

 

[leo12345]

.

 

[jrawk1120]

never had luck with fish traps. I had to remove 1/2 my rock to catch a red coris wrasse. GL

One of my greatest life achievements was getting the bird wrasse. I’m thinking of printing myself a certificate of excellence for that one. He went in it exactly 2 times, 7 days apart. I wasn’t near the tank the first time. He would stick his nose in and swim away all the time.

I was almost too nervous to even take a picture of my crowning achievement in fear that he would thrash enough to get out.

This damsel is a menace though. I’m thinking it may get mounted and displayed.

 

[KrisReef]

I am a big fan in having enough water capacity (buckets, trash cans, extra tanks) to be able to drain any of my tanks during an emergency.

Drain, pick up the fish off the bottom of the tank and refill with a submersible pump!

Hot tip: if you have gravel, dig a nice hole in the front and center of the tank where you can easily collect the fish after you draw down the water level. They will usually come to the well if you dig it and draw the water down. Gl

 

[jrawk1120]

This will sound tough but as that Damsel is a unit, more than a day’s famine might lure him into the trap. And if you only feed in the trap you’ll have the best odds.

I doubt it’s the trap itself but could try other variations like a weighted bug box or something.

I highly doubt it’s the trap. The trap has a mirror attached to the back, which is what I think was spooking the wrasse. Not sure why the damsel doesn’ttry and fight itself though.

Current plan is neglecting feeding for 2-3 days and just baiting.

 

[jrawk1120]

I am a big fan in having enough water capacity (buckets, trash cans, extra tanks) to be able to drain any of my tanks during an emergency.

Drain, pick up the fish off the bottom of the tank and refill with a submersible pump!

Hot tip: if you have gravel, dig a nice hole in the front and center of the tank where you can easily collect the fish after you draw down the water level. They will usually come to the well if you dig it and draw the water down. Gl

I’ve used that method in the past. I have enough storage for the water and rock. I have barrels for water changes.

However, 144g half moon is hard to do this with. 3 barrels is the easy part. Working in this height of tank is the hard part.

This is my last resort.