How To Catch A Damsel

[Lovesfish]

I was wondering how to catch one of these buggers. I know its near impossible but any suggestions? They weren't my choice my mom bought them one day while I was at school not such a great idea. thanks

 

[Mr Miagi]

Have you tried placing a little of their favourite food at the top of the net? Then scoop them up when they come nearer.

You can drain the tank, keeping the water in food safe cointainers, then catch them when the "tides out" and replace the water when your done.

If your getting desperate try catching them at night when they are asleep. Thats all i can think of at the moment.

 

[fishyguy43]

Id use the net method that miagi32 mentioned it will take a little time for ur fish to get use to the food in the net. So put the food in the net every night and by the 3/4 night he should swim right into it. Hope it works

 

[superman]

if nothing else works I've used hook and line with the ultra small fly fishing hooks. Worked like a charm.

 

[amstar15]

lionfish caught mine.. worked like a charm

im kidding

 

[crazyelece]

You can also make or purchase a fish trap. You can do a google search and probably get a better explanation than this but here goes. It is a container that you put some food in and then has a trap door that you close when the fish enters.

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

When you net fish, make sure its under them, they will be much less nervous than if its coming right at them visibly.

 

[Opcn]

Remember that you can bend the net. and dont try the fish hook unless its the only fish that might go for it, and go with a barbless hookif you do, don't want to cause too much damage.

 

[Lovesfish]

thanks for all the helps guys.

 

[Aquascaper]

I totally sympathise with you on this.........

I had a damsel that took me 4 days to capture, he evaded nets, traps, etc. but i finally figured out a way to catch him (some of the older members may remember the 'Graham' saga )

The way I finally caught him was with two sheets of clear acrylic. By using the two sheets (deeper than the water level) I coralled him away from the Live Rock and gently closed the two sheets together until I had him pinned between the sheets. Gentle pressure on either side of him and into the waiting bucket he went

He's still up at the LFS, happily swimming round in his own tank (as no other fish is allowed in there with him - he's such a terror), and will probably see out the rest of his natural life up there (unless they decide to put him in with the Mantis Shrimp )