How to catch a wrasse?

cbleehk · Apr 21, 2019

i made a very poor decision and ID’ed the thalassoma lutescena as the halichoeres chrysus and now I’m dealing with watching it clean up my group of Bartlett’s.

Now I’m trying real hard to catch it. But it’s just way too alert. What’s the best food and procedure to capture it?

I just got an acrylic trap and I was told perhaps to stop feeding a couple days to see. I’m just hoping to get any help with catching the wrasse specifically.

I’ve got a few tangs, couple other halichoeres, 7 damsels, and a diamond goby.

Thanks!

James M · Apr 21, 2019

Try brine shrimp....fish candy

Angel_Anthias lover · Apr 21, 2019

Do not go with this idea cause i honestly dont know if its safe or what, but im pretty sure thalasomma wrasses bury in the sand to sleep, so if you watch for where he sleeps at night u could dig him up maybe and remove him, but im not sure if this is a good idea people always recommend not to dig up wrasses, cause it stresses them out, but may be a better option than letying your other fish die
And if he sleeps in the rocks you might be able to catch him while hes asleep aswell

cbleehk · Apr 21, 2019

Wouldn’t it wake up before I’d find it?

I’m gonna try this first once my trap arrives... I should be able to savage the 5 Bartlett’s if I catch it tomorrow. Fingers crossed

Jay Z · Apr 21, 2019

My wrasse goes in the feed cup when I feed my tank, I actually have to try and not catch him. dang little piggy wrasse. Lord help me when I have to play tang wrangler.

Good luck on the hunt!

BestMomEver · Apr 21, 2019

I used a trap. Don’t feed for a day or so. Then put a frozen cube in the trap. The only food that goes in the tank, is in the trap. It took a couple of minutes for everyone to figure it out but they eventually got it. Took two days for everyone to feel comfortable. On the second day, everyone was in and out like a revolving door. You’ll get him. Just be patient. I could’ve caught all mine at some point. ;)

cbleehk · Apr 21, 2019

Thanks guys. I wish I can avoid picking up another carcass but that time!

Scurvy · Apr 21, 2019

You can try a 2 liter bottle trap while waiting for whatever you bought. Catching wrasse has been hit or miss for me with traps. Some have swum in before i even baited it while others were just too smart to enter. Good luck

GoldeneyeRet · Apr 21, 2019

Little tiny fishing hook will work.

4FordFamily · Apr 21, 2019

GoldeneyeRet said:
Little tiny fishing hook will work.

This. Thalassoma wrasse generally do not bury in the sand.

They also make fish traps you can buy on amazon.

Teemingtank · Apr 21, 2019

You just need to hold your mouth right! :p

Angel_Anthias lover · Apr 21, 2019

cbleehk said:
Wouldn’t it wake up before I’d find it?

I’m gonna try this first once my trap arrives... I should be able to savage the 5 Bartlett’s if I catch it tomorrow. Fingers crossed

Good luck

Angel_Anthias lover · Apr 21, 2019

4FordFamily said:
This. Thalassoma wrasse generally do not bury in the sand.

They also make fish traps you can buy on amazon.

Oops I was thinking on coris wrasses, sorry

4FordFamily · Apr 21, 2019

Angel_Anthias lover said:
Oops I was thinking on coris wrasses, sorry

Common mixup, no big deal! :)

cbleehk · Apr 22, 2019

My super awesome trap arrived and I caught it within 15 min. All 6 Bartlett’s instantly came out. Before only 3 of them would be swimming in the corner.

Jesterrace · Apr 22, 2019

Fish traps are wonderful as they save so much work. Used a homemade twice and my current fish trap twice and with patience they have both done the job without tearing apart my tank and stressing other fish.

Ben Pedersen · Apr 22, 2019

Sadly I have a female bird wrasse who has decided she wants fish for dinner. In the last week she has eaten 2 fire fish, 2 pink bar dart fish, 1 blue gudgeon and 1 Banggai cardinal.

Can you send me a link for that fish trap?

cbleehk · Apr 22, 2019

Sorry to hear that. I live in Hong Kong so I was able to buy this from China for cheap ($10 USD). You can probably try this if you're OK with getting it shipped over:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Rope-design-Acrylic-Fishing-box-trap-box-for-safe-catch-fish/32968926087.html

I couldn't find anything similar on amazon. Good luck!