Yellow Dottyback - He Needs to Go!

[retiredsailor]

I have a Yellow Dottyback that I need to remove from my 75G reef tank. The explanation is below. The real purpose of the thread is to solicit ideas on how to get it out of there as easily and quickly as possible. Please help me on this.

I have been having aggression problems in my 75G reef tank since about last November. First it was my Kole Tang, but the mirror method and a comparable sized Coral Beauty Angel calmed him down. Then I was having problems from my Banded Coral Shrimp. I actually saw him eating still-living fish. I removed it and replaced him with a Cleaner Shrimp. The Cleaner Shrimp didn't even make it to dinner time, the human dinner time, before disappearing. For days i hoped he was just really good at hiding and that maybe the change of tank waters (from store to home) caused him to molt and hide. Well, its been a few weeks and either he is really dedicated to hiding or he's gone. I am leaning towards door number 2. Meanwhile, I knew my Yellow Dottyback was aggressive but didn't realize just how badly.

Today I added a Lawnmower Blenny, its at least 3 inches long but a bit smaller than the Dottyback. The dottyback went after the Blenny within less than 5 minutes. I put a mirror up to help the Blenny and it has sort of worked. The mirror has attracted the Tang and Angel to the area, helping to keep the Dottyback away.

Unfortunately I don't think this is a viable long-term solution. I think the only solution is to remove the Dottyback.

Catching the Banded Coral Shrimp was hard enough. I know getting the Dottyback is going to be much harder. So, it is with hat-in-hand I come asking for help. Aside from removing all the live rock from the tanks, can you folks give me your best methods. Please? I'm a little desperate.

 

[eatbreakfast]

A fish trap, either a commercial companies product or a diy soda bottle fish trap.

 

[Triggreef]

A fish trap, either a commercial companies product or a diy soda bottle fish trap.

+1

Is he too large to fit through egg crate? really easy to make an egg crate trap with zip ties and fishing line to close the door. My dotty's were in and out of mine all day while I was catching other fish. Bigger the trap the better/easier to attract them into.

 

[HiddenUser]

I was able to catch my Royal Dotty back and move him into my other tank with a water bottle. Cut the top 1/3 or 1/4 of the bottle and then turn it around and push it into the bottle. Then I put a little bit of food into the bottle and submerged it into an area where my dotty back hung out.

I left for a few hours and came back and he was in the bottle.

Google search 'DIY bottle fish trap'.

 

[retiredsailor]

success! more in a bit

 

[Robink]

diy fish trap, use two water bottles. I caught my melanarus wrasse in less than two minutes.

 

[retiredsailor]

I went with the DIY bottle fish trap that was recommended. It took me longer to find a suitable bottle and turn it into a trap than it did to actually catch it. After putting it in and baiting it with some food, I caught him in around 2 minutes. So a big 'Thank You'! to all of you. I just hope the Blenny makes it. He's a bit beat up and it looks like the Dottyback did a number on one of his eyes. But he's still alive and time will tell if he makes it.

ian

 

[Humblefish]

Glad to hear you caught him! Dottybacks are beautiful but can be little holy terrors! :wink:

 

[retiredsailor]

I think he's going to make it. Had my doubts this morning because one eye did get damaged and he was in the same spot from last night. But I just checked on him and he was still in the same spot but I added another pinch of food and he not only ate but chased after the food as well! Overall he is looking good, despite the eye injury. Thanks again everyone.