To catch a chromis

Any ideas on how to catch a small chromis. I have a lot of coral and rock that make it difficult to corner him. Thanks for reading.

 

Try to bait it with food. If you have time, just put the net/ container in the tank and allow the fish to get used to it being there. Then use food to get them into the open and then scoop slowly as the fish is distracted.

If you make a fast movement the fish will likely see the container as a threat and will dart away, then avoid it completely. Using a slow movement and trying to coax it into it, while be much more successful.

 

Good luck with that........
You can try removing some water but Chromis are elusive.

 

Try a fish trap. there are lots of DYI options and a few commercial ones.

An example of the one you can buy
Aqua Medic Fish Trap - Bulk Reef Supply

This one is pretty elaborate ,and you could easily make your own.

Other tricks involve a 2-liter bottle with top cut off and re-inserted backwards.

I once had a Blue Chromis I needed to catch - took almost a month. I tried every method; Chasing the darn thing with a plastic bag, The bottle trap, actually fishing for it with an unbarred hook etc....

In the end, I used an acrylic trap I made myself, similar to the one I linked to above. It took Lot's a patients, and a little trickery. I had to feed the tank, and then walk to the other end and turn my back - only then would the fish enter the trap. :-/

 

I've caught numerous fish in my tanks using a large 2g size zip lock bag. 3-stripe damsel was the most difficult, but it worked on it too. Large 2 gallon one is the trick, don't do a small bag.

Place it on it's side in high traffic area. Use a rock to keep the bag opening open and bag on the sand bed. Since bag is flexible, you can put it anywhere. You can use bait, but no bait was needed for me.

Watch the tank, eventually your fish of choice will swim in, cause bag is transparent and they don't see it as a trap. Then quickly rush towards the tank and lift the edge of the bag where opening is out of the water, as bag collapses, opening will close and fish will try naturally swim in other direction, further into the bag.

 

Add a larger Chromis...it will likely injure the one you are trying to catch. Then it's easier.

 

Good stuff. I'm going to try a 20oz bottle with the top turned around and some bait inside first. I have a small tank(29) and want another fish without adding to my bioload, so I'm giving him to a friend. Also, my 6-line picks on him at times.

 

I posted this a few weeks ago, but caught a large damsel on a 22 size hook and piece of mysis - you can get the hooks at a fly fishing shop ( I couldnt find them at ****s or walmart but maybe they have them by you)

imgur: the simple image sharer

imgur: the simple image sharer

 

That is a good way of injuring it unfortunately.

 

I'll try it tonight after I take out the water for my wc.