the hook is stuck in his mouth towards the back of his throat

[fishgeek01]

For everyone posting on here about how dumb this was, or how he/she should have tried other options, we all know that tearing a reef apart or any other tank to get one fish out is not the most feasible way to go about doing this. This method is extremely easy, and can be very unstressful on the fish in your tank. The key is to use a small hook WITHOUT a barb. Every post that you see about using this method strongly suggests using a hook with no barb. Nets, containers, traps, these things dont work well at all. Nobody wants to hang a net in their water for days on end waiting for your fish to "get used to it" before trying to catch one single fish during a feeding time or risk breaking delicate corals with abulky collection cup, or having a home-made fish trap sitting in the bottom of your tank, catching your crabs, shrimp, and every fish but the one you want. These methods can actaully be more stressful to all of your other fish. The hook method allows the hobbyist to target one particular fish, in a less than lethal way (which is what we all want), while providing as little stress to the rest of your tank as possible. I am glad everything worked out for this person, but lets just remember next time to not use a barbed hook.

 

[darknes]

The biggest problem I see with using a hook, whether it has a barb or not, is the risk of your fish completely swallowing the hook. If you are dealing with a fish that cost you a hundred or more dollars, do you want to take the chance?

 

[chipmaker]

I agree with Darkness, barb or no baarb us not gonna mean a darn thing if that fish swallows it. IMNSHO, I do not think its an appropriate process to catch a fish......however to each their own as its their fish their money their setup so they get to do what they want. I personally will not start pulling out live rock and ripping a reef tank apart to remove a fish and at some point I probably would use more drastic methods of removing it as well. I have already made a

[hr]
using a dart from a blow gun and a length of ridgid air line tube.....Had that damesl in range a few times, and left it go, I eventually made a trap and caught it, but the

[hr]
is still there if its ever needed...Hey I may wind up with a man eating yellow clown goby some day, ya never know.

 

[jmick]

I removed a lunare wrasse from my tank with a barbless hook, the easiest way to get him out.

 

[phatford]

Originally Posted by Darknes
The biggest problem I see with using a hook, whether it has a barb or not, is the risk of your fish completely swallowing the hook. If you are dealing with a fish that cost you a hundred or more dollars, do you want to take the chance?

I am an avid fisherman and IMO circle hooks would work very well.
I would probably file off the barb but a circle hook is designed for the fish to completely swallow the food and when the fish turns to run the hook will slide out and hook in the side of the mouth. Work everytime.... you can buy a 3 pack of circle hooks for cheap at any fishing store. Oh and most important Do not swing or pull on the line the fish will hook himself....
Wishing you much luck and tight lines...

 

[pbienkiewi]

Two words for you ...... Dumb @$$ !

 

[tx reef]

Boy, that post got deleted quick....I tried to use the quote function and it was gone!

 

[fishgeek01]

lol

 

[cymbal67]

if possible, try to cut the barb off, but be carefull....he might swallow it. bummer situation.

 

[ci11337]

Originally Posted by phatford
I am an avid fisherman and IMO circle hooks would work very well.
I would probably file off the barb but a circle hook is designed for the fish to completely swallow the food and when the fish turns to run the hook will slide out and hook in the side of the mouth. Work everytime.... you can buy a 3 pack of circle hooks for cheap at any fishing store. Oh and most important Do not swing or pull on the line the fish will hook himself....
Wishing you much luck and tight lines...
Phatford is right, I too am an avid fisherman and I use circle hooks when i go grouper fishing in Fl. If any one ever has to "go fishing" in their tank please use small barbless circle hook. Good lucksaveing your fish.

 

[ridomart]

I would use a hook in a hart beat if I had thought. I didn't feed for a day, then put the bait in the fish trap, worked like a champ. Make sure to put the trap in before hand so they get use to it.