How do ya remove two very bad Damsels.

[snowcrab]

I have two damsels that I used to cycle my tank with that are now fully grown and are fighting everything so bad that my star pollips dont even want to come out. I have tried everything short of removing all the live rock and corals to get the suckers. They are now so bad that they are affecting the health of the other fish. one is what the lfs called a school buss damsel which was very pretty and bright yellow when it was young but now its a brown monster. The other is a three strip black and white damsel. any tips to rid my tank of them. Thanks.

 

[joetst2]

If you have any live rock in your tank the chances of catching them are pretty slim. I have three damsels I wouldn't mind having out of my tank, but I'm not about to remove all my rock to do it.

 

[jond]

Been there and done that! Suck it up and start pulling rock. It really is not that bad. Just lay down some towels and get some coolers and buckets. Start pulling out rock, catch the little terds and rebuild. You will try until you are crazy if you don't. Good luck.

 

[nosmada]

i once had a panther grouper that took care of that problem didnt have to move a single rock
chris

 

[michael bundy]

I just successfully removed two blue damsels from my tank by fishing for them.
Yep, went to the fly fishing store, bought a size 22 hook and some 3lb tippet (line). I went ahead and filed the barb off of the hook, just to be safe.
Honestly, I had a blast. The hardest part of the whole adventure was baiting the hook!
(BTW, my kids thought it was the funniest thing they had ever seen)

 

[billyv]

Before you try fishing them out, you might try this. don't feed your fish for a day or so. Then get your net out, and carfefully place some food in the net, preferbly something large enough so it won't float out or through the net. I like to use krill shrimp. The fish will come to the food inside the net, just be ready to scoop the lil'

[hr]
damsels up, cause their quick. This method worked for me when I needed to catch my Yellow Tang, it may or may not work for Damsels. They may spook easier? Good luck!

 

[bentrue]

i liked the grouper idea! get a fish that will make them dinner. Maybe a trigger or grouper. would be cool to watch also.

 

[marinelover]

Unless your going to go with the grouper, as you have already read, start pulling that rock out. I HATE DAMSELS for this reason. I tried to catch my starter damsels for 2 weeks and finally had to suck it up. Good luck. Let us know if you find another way.

 

[ebeckels]

personally i had to remove my rock to get the damsel out...however..i've heard from my lfs owner that you can try to put some food in a soda bottle and the fish will be able to get in but probably not get out if ur quick enough....i've never tried it but he said it might work...My suggestion is to just pull the rock out...
-Eric

 

[dhe420]

before you do all that drastic stuff, take a ONE LITER coke bottle and cut the top off right where it begins to flare in towards the top. Turn that piece around and insert it into the cut off coke bottle bottom. Use some tape to fasten it together. Dont feed your fish for a day or two then put the food inside the contraption, i almost can gaurantee you that they will swim into it HTH Dave

 

[snowcrab]

everyone thanks for the tips im going to try the 1 liter bottle trick 1st will let you know. thanks agian.

 

[flydan]

Hey,
Not to make light of your situation, but I wish I had a dollar for every damsel that has been taken out of an aquarists tank! I'd be stinking rich!
Do a search on the top of this screen and you'll probably find 50 messages on the subject.
Good luck with your coke bottle trick. I've set traps for crabs and they work great!