New reef keeper and need a little help

R_K_Bell · Oct 13, 2020

Hello Reef2Reef world. I have been a saltwater aquarium enthusiast for many years. Up until January of 2020 it was saltwater fish only. Also i haven't had an aquarium in my home for about 20 years. In December 2019 I setup a 130 gallon saltwater reef tank. It ran saltwater for a month before I put anything in it. In January it purchased 4 clownfish and one of my favorite fish an arc eye hawkfish. May of you will see my dilemma the mistake of introducing a hawkfish. At the time all I had know was saltwater fish only tanks. Now that I know inverts and hawkfish don't make great tank mates I need to relocate the hawkfish to a new home. As you know a hawkfish sits on rock and waits for something to swim by or close where he can swim out, grab it and swim back to his rock. I have purchased a large fish trap and have it hanging on my tank. My problem is how do I get the hawkfish to go and sit and survey the "world" from inside the box so I can close the trap and catch him.

Peace River · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

Miguel Negron · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome !!! :D

harley32907 · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

Philly Reefer · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to R2R!
Good luck with that hawkfish

Bfragale · Oct 13, 2020

I’ve never caught a hawk fish. But it took me months to catch a damsel lol. I think time and patients are the best bet. Have you tried at night with lights out and a flash light? Or red lights? This may make it a bit easier to net because they can’t see well in dark or red light. You might be able to sneak up in him. Also I leave the trap and net in the tank a bit so it gets use to it.
Hope this helps. HAPPY REEFING!

Alanna102499 · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

WIReefer · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Fred2482 · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome! Unfortunately, I have really bad experiences with fish traps. All that money just to take it out and create craziness in my tank to get what I am after. Best of luck, hopefully someone has a great tactic to get the trap to work.

ScubaFish802 · Oct 13, 2020

vetteguy53081 · Oct 13, 2020

R_K_Bell said:
Hello Reef2Reef world. I have been a saltwater aquarium enthusiast for many years. Up until January of 2020 it was saltwater fish only. Also i haven't had an aquarium in my home for about 20 years. In December 2019 I setup a 130 gallon saltwater reef tank. It ran saltwater for a month before I put anything in it. In January it purchased 4 clownfish and one of my favorite fish an arc eye hawkfish. May of you will see my dilemma the mistake of introducing a hawkfish. At the time all I had know was saltwater fish only tanks. Now that I know inverts and hawkfish don't make great tank mates I need to relocate the hawkfish to a new home. As you know a hawkfish sits on rock and waits for something to swim by or close where he can swim out, grab it and swim back to his rock. I have purchased a large fish trap and have it hanging on my tank. My problem is how do I get the hawkfish to go and sit and survey the "world" from inside the box so I can close the trap and catch him.

Do not hang it but rather place the trsp on bottom near the area where it hangs out. Place brine shrimp in the trap and leave trap open. Let him go in there and eat. Next day have door open but only half way. Let him eat.
Next day hold string and place brine in there again but now wait for it to enter and let string go. You will have him !!

vetteguy53081 · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to the R2R community !!!

KJ · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Ippyroy · Oct 13, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

KingTideCorals · Oct 13, 2020

I think your best bet is to try and look up some fish traps on YouTube! Luring in with food for sure!

If youre on there come by and check out the channel too! Welcome to reefing and R2R!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDEnKhibcZ_5Xg0fvJGi1Yg?view_as=subscriber