My Damsels are jerks.

[kelso]

Any tips on getting these mean little b@st@rds out of the tank? There are two and they're harassing my lion (they also bite me when I'm in the tank cleaning) and I'm worried that they'll stress him out until he gets sick. They're quick and super skiddish and I've had no luck so far. Thanks in advance!

 

[florida joe]

First things first, can I assume you used the damsels to start your cycle. Next thing do not get into your tank to clean it. Lastly how large a tank do you have ?

 

[anti]

Im assuming he meant his hand? haha

 

[florida joe]

Quote:
Im assuming he meant his hand? haha
you think ?

 

[jstdv8]

just for the record, i could totally fit in my 120

 

[kelso]

I just laughed so hard I cried. I'll try to remember that. Ok, yes the damsels were used to cycle and they've been there for 5-6 months. The tank is a 55 gal set-up.

 

[anti]

That would be scary swimming in a tank with lions!

 

[florida joe]

Must be a hell of a lot of displacement

 

[florida joe]

You can try a homemade bottle trap. But IMO sometimes the best way is to just bite the bullet and make a divider force your damsels into one side of the tank put in the divider remove anything in the way and net them

 

[flower]

I wish LFS and everyone else would quit selling those little demons to anyone that is not on purpose getting an aggresive fish.
For as long as I have been on this site I think every beginner, unless warned, gets one and complains about being bit and it killing the other tank mates.
For some stupid reason everyone thinks they are cheap and pretty. They are cheap because nobody wants them. The ONLY market are beginners looking for a cheap fish.
I'm all for killing a devil damsel but not with a cycle...get a rubberband an make a little spear gun..JK..good luck getting it out of the tank.

 

[jstdv8]

My new LFS told me that they sold 50 damsels last week adn were ordering in another 50.
Which is crazy because he's had 2 sailfins and a load of anthias and a trigger and two lions for at least 3-4 weeks and none of them have moved.
How do you sell 50 damsels and not a single other fish?

 

[meowzer]

Kelso...I hate to tell you this.....I had to take apart my 225G to get 2 damsels out.....not only are they mean..they are freakin smart!!!!!
I even tried to spear them...LOL....You will never get a 2nd chance at any trick....believe me

 

[gemmy]

I was able to get my damsels out by feeding the tank then turning the lights out quickly and using a fish net. It was super easy.

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/383461/my-damsels-are-jerks#post_3353996
I was able to get my damsels out by feeding the tank then turning the lights out quickly and using a fish net. It was super easy.
Well good for you

Apparently my damsels were smarter then yours

 

[slice]

I've trapped 3 damsels on two occasions with those clear plastic traps. The traps are crap right out of the box, but with a bit of modification, they work very well.
I have 2 green chromis I need to move out now to make room for a pair of firefish. The trap I used before was a loaner from my LFS. It now seems to always be already out on loan,
I've tried the DYI bottle trap, but the chromis seem to be either a bit too smart for it or don't like the small opening (I trap everyone except the chromis). I've also tried to net them while feeding but have been unsuccessful so far.

 

[kelso]

Yea, no one at the LFS told me that they're considered an aggressive fish, just that they were cheap and good for cycling a tank.
Meowzer... I know, I recently moved and removed all the live rock and coral from the tank. I figured I'd grab the damsels next... yea, they weren't there. I figured "How lucky for ME!" 3 hours later we were at the new house and put everything back together... still no damsels. The next morning, there they were. Where'd they go in the interim?? NO EFFEN IDEA. They're ninjas.
Florida Joe... I will try the barrier, but just for funsies, how do I make a bottle trap?
Gemmy... I will also try a stealthy nighttime strategy, thanks!

 

[meowzer]

LOL...when I saw mine at one of my few trips to my NOTSOlfs in Texas....they were the size of a nickel....cute as can be.....I was never told they were monsters either, and I had not found this site yet

....It was about the time they reached silver dollar size they started attacking ...they were almost 5" by the time I got them out

 

[slice]

I'm not advocating this, but....
I tie my own flies to fish for trout. I have some #28 dry fly hooks that are about 1/8" long. One could easily bait one with a mysis and fish them out...

 

[flower]

When I first started my saltwater tank I was buying live rock..I pointed to a certain rock and the store lady told me everything in that tank was triple the money...When I asked why she said there was a flesh eating damsel in that tank and she wasn't putting her hands in that tank for anything less. Her husband came in (Mom and Pop store) and she told him the rock I wanted..he got it out..he showed me his bloody hand with a tiny chunk of meat missing. I knew then to NEVER get a damsel.

 

[jstdv8]

LOL, doesnt they believe in gloves? Sheesh
LOL triple the money.
they should have let the customer get thier own rocks after signing a release form LMAO