How to go about removing a snowflake moray?

[Daniel@R2R]

So, unfortunately my snowflake needs to be rehomed. I'm trying to catch him in a 225g reef tank, and that's turned into a pain.

I normally use a 2L coke bottle as a fish trap, but he's way too long for that to work. I set up a 1.5" pipe with a cap on the end hoping that if I baited it with shrimp he'd go in and I could lift him out, but he's too smart (so far) to go into the pipe (which meant I had to lift that out and empty it to keep shrimp from just rotting in there).

So...I did put the pipe trap back in with a new shrimp in it... we'll see if that works.

But does anyone have any better ideas?

 

[Project1004]

I think it’s good idea to drain the tank low enough to just scoop him/her up. Least stress on the Animals. Good luck.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I think it’s good idea to drain the tank low enough to just scoop him/her up. Least stress on the Animals. Good luck.

The problem is that he hides under the aquascape.

Plus lowering the water level in a 225g tank would be a really big job. Not impossible, but I'm thinking if he's hiding under the aquascape, it won't really help to lower the water level and may impact other inhabitants negatively.

 

[JayM]

Pipe trap would have been my suggestion. Maybe take it out until you know he's hungry? Unless of course you have fish small enough for him to eat in the meantime.

 

[Reefing102]

I was going to say pipe trap but maybe put a curve in it. I’d leave it open, let him get used to it and then cap one end. He might be more comfortable this way.

 

[Project1004]

The problem is that he hides under the aquascape.

Plus lowering the water level in a 225g tank would be a really big job. Not impossible, but I'm thinking if he's hiding under the aquascape, it won't really help to lower the water level and may impact other inhabitants negatively.

Ya, that’s a big tank. I don’t think draining the water for short period of time has any negative impact other than your coralline alage. Maybe don’t feed for few days. So your method would work? I know blinding the fish also Works.

 

[MisterE]

I was going to say pipe trap but maybe put a curve in it. I’d leave it open, let him get used to it and then cap one end. He might be more comfortable this way.

Double curve: When you do cap it, cap it with something clear.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Unless of course you have fish small enough for him to eat in the meantime.

Unfortunately this is the problem.

I have quit feeding him to try to force him to go into the pipe for the food, but there are 2 issues with that:

1) he only eats maybe 2 times a week
2) there are a couple of clown fish in the tank that he could definitely eat...and the clean up crew are likely on his menu as well...so he got options

 

[BryanM]

Unfortunately if he's not going to cooperate and get trapped you're going to have to start removing things from the tank to be able to catch him.

I hired people to catch my red coris wrasse, took two hours.

 

[TX_REEF]

if catching him is a priority, I agree removing rock is going to be the answer more likely. I had to catch a coral beauty angel in my display once, and that's the only thing that worked for me.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Feed him everyday with a small tongs and shrimp , leave net in water while doing this. You will build trust with the eel and it will feel ok with the net , eventually in about 1-2 weeks you can feed and catch him with the net with ease

 

[The Ugly Phase]

why have you decided to rehome him?

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

So, unfortunately my snowflake needs to be rehomed. I'm trying to catch him in a 225g reef tank, and that's turned into a pain.

I normally use a 2L coke bottle as a fish trap, but he's way too long for that to work. I set up a 1.5" pipe with a cap on the end hoping that if I baited it with shrimp he'd go in and I could lift him out, but he's too smart (so far) to go into the pipe (which meant I had to lift that out and empty it to keep shrimp from just rotting in there).

So...I did put the pipe trap back in with a new shrimp in it... we'll see if that works.

But does anyone have any better ideas?

Maybe a minnow trap? I dont know your fish' girth, or the diameter of the trap opening. You can probably open the hole diameter without too much difficulty.
Amazon product

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I wonder if I try to chase him out of his current hole under the rock if that will "encourage" him to find a new location (hopefully the pipe trap).

I was trying to chase him out today and bet him, but I was unsuccessful.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Maybe a minnow trap? I dont know your fish' girth, or the diameter of the trap opening. You can probably open the hole diameter without too much difficulty.
Amazon product

I think I'm going to try this route.

 

[Dom]

So, unfortunately my snowflake needs to be rehomed. I'm trying to catch him in a 225g reef tank, and that's turned into a pain.

I normally use a 2L coke bottle as a fish trap, but he's way too long for that to work. I set up a 1.5" pipe with a cap on the end hoping that if I baited it with shrimp he'd go in and I could lift him out, but he's too smart (so far) to go into the pipe (which meant I had to lift that out and empty it to keep shrimp from just rotting in there).

So...I did put the pipe trap back in with a new shrimp in it... we'll see if that works.

But does anyone have any better ideas?

I'm wondering; do you think it isn't swimming in to the pipe because the cap creates a dead end?

Seeing light at the far end may fool it into thinking it can swim straight through. Maybe fixing a piece of glass or a jar over the end might fool it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Unfortunately this is the problem.

I have quit feeding him to try to force him to go into the pipe for the food, but there are 2 issues with that:

1) he only eats maybe 2 times a week
2) there are a couple of clown fish in the tank that he could definitely eat...and the clean up crew are likely on his menu as well...so he got options

long pvc pipe and get him to hide in there with food baited and place large net on each end once in there

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

I think I'm going to try this route.

Good luck! I'd probably replace all metal components on the trap with nylon zip ties, etc. before using. I wouldn't want my corals (especially) exposed to any of that. Let us know how it works for you.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

GOT HIM! I checked the tank this morning and he was in his place in the rock work, but then about an hour later looked up and his beautiful little head was sticking out of the pipe. used the net on one end (and it was still capped on the other) and lifted him out. He is now safely awaiting his new home. Haha! Happy ending!

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

GOT HIM! I checked the tank this morning and he was in his place in the rock work, but then about an hour later looked up and his beautiful little head was sticking out of the pipe. used the net on one end (and it was still capped on the other) and lifted him out. He is now safely awaiting his new home. Haha! Happy ending!

As with everything in this hobby, patience pays off!