cant catch fish!!

[fishie tvt]

hi all im new to this site, and i have just started my first saltwater tank(actually like 2 weeks ago). i was told to get domino damsels to cycle the tank, so i did but now i have a problem!! one of the damsels has i believe its VELVET!...i asked one of my friends who is pretty much an expert on this and he told me to take him out of the tank and flush him!...i tried but i cant catch the little sucker because he keeps going into the caves in my live rock!...what do i do?...

 

[@]

flush him! no. if your going to start a saltwater tank you are going to need a hospital/quarantine tank. all you need is a little peguin filter or air stone and a ten gallon tank. get that then treat him. it will only take 3 weeks(which is about the rest of your cycle) so you can put him back in or trade him when that is done

 

[ubeturwrasse]

I.M.O., the cost of a damsel $2 or so, does not justify spending 20.00 trying to save it. I would flush it too. ......now an angel or tang, I would treat.
In respect to your original question, you might try a 2 litre pop bottle with the bottom cut out. sink it and let it set. put food in through the top, when the little bugger swims up to get the food, net the bottom and bring up the jug, water drains and fish is in the net.
This has worked for me a couple times, the trick is to be gentle lowering the jug into the tank, so not to spook the fish, wait an hour or 2 and feed.

 

[fishie tvt]

thanks alot for helping me out, i agree with what you said on the damsel being 2 bucks, if it was something else i would have treated, thanks again.

 

[galina]

Just because you've decided not to save the damsel now because its 20 bucks for a QT setup... your going to need to get one anyways. I think you should invest in a QT tank anyways. You could even throw in one of those damsels to cycle it. QT tanks are the best concept ever. If you don't get one now and you just throw in the fish, you'll regret it. A QT tank will save you an abundance of problems.
Galina

 

[tacks]

You should set up a quarantine tank. If anything, it will be good practice in treating a sick fish. Do you really want your first experience to be with a $100 fish? Practice on the damsel.