Fish traps, am I wasting my time?

dkw27

Member
I really need to remove the flame angel in my tank, he's a bully and has injured my mild mannered brown barred goby....There is no way to net him, so I was wondering how many of you have had success with a fish trap, I really want him gone.....Thanks-
 
T

tizzo

Guest
I bought the trap and was never successful with it. The fish just wouldn't go into a new container in the tank, even if it was clear.
 

jmick

Active Member
a very small barbless hook is the way to go--it causes little or no harm to the fish and takes about 2 minutes.
 

dkw27

Member
Originally Posted by Jmick
a very small barbless hook is the way to go--it causes little or no harm to the fish and takes about 2 minutes.
I lost my brownbarred goby overnight, and now more than ever I want the flame angel out of my tank, but using a hook makes me a little nervous....What type of bait would you use? I have lots of other fish that I wouldn't want to get caught on the hook, how in the heck would I catch the angel and not the others?
 

digitydash

Active Member
Originally Posted by dkw27
I lost my brownbarred goby overnight, and now more than ever I want the flame angel out of my tank, but using a hook makes me a little nervous....What type of bait would you use? I have lots of other fish that I wouldn't want to get caught on the hook, how in the heck would I catch the angel and not the others?
Like a very small bait hook.piece of silver side or any food that is big enought to hook it .
 

donald

Member
Find a flyfishing store and ask for a size 16 or smaller, it just depends on the size of the mouth. Try shrimp for bait. As for the other fish you just have to be carefull. I agree with barbless, but if you cant find barbless then just crimp it down with a pair of pliers.
 

jmick

Active Member
I have great bait and tackle shop about a mile from my place and they hooked me up with the smallest hook they had and the crimped the barb down. I was having a hard time getting a lunare wrasse out of my tank and it took about 30 seconds to get him with a little shrimp on it. The hook caused almost no noticable damage and slide right out.
If he is an agressive eater it should be fairly easy unless the other fish are more agressive.
 

badboyj

Member
yes a fly shop is the way to go, they have hooks that are so small , that most other store don't........hey do you want to sell the flame??? if so let's see some pics.
 

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by Jmick
a very small barbless hook is the way to go--it causes little or no harm to the fish and takes about 2 minutes.
And I thought I invented this idea! I've posted it, usually for damsels; and I think most people think I'm nuts. Get what sport shops call a "hair hook", flatten the barb, bait it with a bit of the fish's favorite food (maybe a bit of raw shrimp, use very light fishing line (even thread). As soon as he grabs it, give a sharp yank up and out.Have a bucket with some tank water ready(for damsels, I recommend just tossing to the lionfish) and be sure to have wet hands when you remove the hook, to protect his slime coat. No fishing license required. Fish collectors often use this method to catch a specific fish they're after.
 

dkw27

Member
Originally Posted by BadBoyJ
yes a fly shop is the way to go, they have hooks that are so small , that most other store don't........hey do you want to sell the flame??? if so let's see some pics.
If you can catch him, you can have him for free...He's a gorgeous fish, but he's on my **** list right now....I am going to get another brownbarred goby tomorrow and hope he leaves it alone, my sand is in need since my sweet goby passed earlier in the week....Really proves how good of a job my goby did on the sand....
 

sepulatian

Moderator
OMG, don't hook the fish!!!! Move some of your rock over to one side. Feed where the open spot is for a day or two. Fashion a divider out of eggcrate or buy one. When he comes to the open spot, durring feeding time, drop the divider.
 

dkw27

Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
OMG, don't hook the fish!!!! Move some of your rock over to one side. Feed where the open spot is for a day or two. Fashion a divider out of eggcrate or buy one. When he comes to the open spot, durring feeding time, drop the divider.
I've been hesitant about hooking the fish, mostly because I don't want to hurt anyone....I've also thought about sectioning off a part of the tank and trying to catch him that way, but with as much rock as I have and I finally got it just where I want it (it took months) I just can't bear to mess everything up just to catch this angel...I've pretty much decided I will just have to live with it unless he starts picking on someone else the way he did my goby....Thanks for all the suggestions...
 

srfisher17

Active Member
I know some folks feel differently than I do; but I think the quick catch-and release method is far less stressful than tearing up the fish's environment and chasing with a net. I did this for several people (was referred by my lfs) on the Mississippi coast, pre- Katrina. Never lost a fish never the slightest problem...but I respect others opinions as well. My next great idea would be a wet/dry shop vac.
 
Top