Catching/Trapping fish in the tank

Hey Guys,

I have a smallish damsel that I have had in my tank since I started it, I introduced a small Blenny last weekend and noticed that the damsel is going for it. I would rather the blenny in the tank than the damsel so I want to catch it and remove it from tank. So far he has proved to be quite elusive, short of pull all my rock apart does anyone have any tips or tricks to catch him?

Thanks,
Pete

You are right to not want to move your live rock,that will destabilise the bio aspect of it for a while and affect the PH from subsequent ammonia.

I use a fine fishing line with a tiny hook and sinker,or something like a little stone or tiny piece of coral and a piece of squid on the point after a day of no food and the pig of the tank will go for it first.

Or you can do what I have had to do that isn’t that nice three times ever, get some dowel timber at a good length for your tank and force in a needle one end, point out and skewer the fish.

The three times I did this, two times the fish lived on nicely.

Have a look at this if nothing else just for a laugh.

https://southeastqueenslandm.aforumfree.com/t1016-removing-fish-from-a-marine-reef-aquarium

I had a look at your fishing expedition very creative. Unfortunately he was a bit too small for a hook and is a cunning little fish.. He knew exactly what was happening as soon as the net goes in the water he hides.. I had a mate come over last night and we managed to section of half the tank and only had to remove a little of the rock, It took us about an hour of coaxing him into the side of the tank with the least rock but we managed to get him..

At least the blenny will be happy now.. he is already coming out more.. now what to do with the damsel?

Should I be monitoring my PH? The bio load on the tank is not very high as it is not heavily stocked.

The low load on your system will help a lot in keeping PH stable,if i do anything i think may affect PH i use seachem 8.3,gently for around three days and alls good.

If you think it will be okay and nothing much of substrate or live rock has been disturbed,it may be fine.

Ill just monitor it for now.. substrate was not moved much..

I did find the pistol shrimp that has been clicking in my tank.. I wonder if it is one that will pair with a goby.. looked white and blueish.. Ill try to snap a pic.