How do I catch a clownfish?

My tomato clown has killed his last fish. He's gotta go. Hes about 3 years old and mean as all heck. And smart. Any time he even sees the net, he is gone gone gone! Is there a way to catch him without tearing down all my rock?

I use a bottle like a 20 oz. or 2 liter pop bottle take off the label and cut the top part off. I then put it in my tank with food in it, frozen works best and wait for it to swim in to get the food. I have caught every fish I own doing this method.

Jeffs_little_ocean wrote: What do you mean cut the top off? How far down? Do you lay the bottle sideways on the bottom? I have a feeling he wont go in. Hes super smart, but I will give it a try.

Cut the top to where he can fit in the bottle and then lay it sideways on the bottom of the sand, you will need to fill it with water for it to sink. I fill it up drop the food in hold my hand over the opening while I turn the opening to the water and get it to sink this causes the food to go to the end of the bottle that isn't open.

So if he swims in there, I run over.....stick my arm in the tank with ninja lightning speed and scoop out the bottle, before he just simply swims out? Hmmm Okay, I will give it a try. I should probably record this, I sense a youtube moment coming on....

Edited by Jeffs_little_ocean - October 21 2010 at 11:02pm

kellerexpress wrote: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=249712 try this

Exactly what I was talking about however I forgot one of the things you can do is cut it that far and put that part back in. I just cut the hole big enough for them to get in and when they go in there if you are fast enough I come at the tank from the end that is open which causes them to swim to the end that is closed

i was wondering what fish did it kill?

So I made a bottle trap, but so far no luck. He wont go in. Ive caught every other fish in my tank though  To answer your question SGH, he kills any other clown Ive put in, and the last fish was a purple firefish that swam too close to his fav anenome and he grabbed it by the head and shook it so hard, it tore its head off. If I ever do catch him, he's free to anyone who wants him lol. Maybe someone with a very agressive tank?? Thanks for the advise Danh, I will send Adam a PM about the trap.

Been there done that. I even went fishing once with a tiny #22 hook baited with a tiny piece of worm. The target fish, a Neon Black Damsel, must have been the smartest fish in the world because it stayed away from the bait while I hooked some of my Tomato Clownfish

I agree with Steve, easiest fishing I've ever done is at night.

I prepare the tank before lights out with the top open and a way to turn on the lights.

I'll often set my alarm to wake me. Staying out of sight with the room dark I silently creep/crawl over to the tank. With net in hand I flip on the tank lights all at once. This blinds the fish momentarily while I just scoop it up and drop in in a small bucket of tankwater. Works as slick as a whistle and I'm back in bed in 5 minutes sawing logs ZzZzZz.

If the fish is hiding in the rocks, it cannot see and is very sluggish. I quickly move it out with my hand or a stick to where I can get the net around it. If this doesn't work the fist night, the experience I gain makes me successful the next night.


Edited by Mark Peterson - October 25 2010 at 9:15am

Mark Peterson wrote: Been there done that. I even went fishing once with a tiny #22 hook baited with a tiny piece of worm. The target fish, a Neon Black Damsel, must have been the smartest fish in the world because it stayed away from the bait while I hooked some of my Tomato Clownfish I agree with Steve, easiest fishing I've ever done is at night. I prepare the tank before lights out with the top open and a way to turn on the lights. I'll often set my alarm to wake me. Staying out of sight with the room dark I silently creep/crawl over to the tank. With net in hand I flip on the tank lights all at once. This blinds the fish momentarily while I just scoop it up and drop in in a small bucket of tankwater. Works as slick as a whistle and I'm back in bed in 5 minutes sawing logs ZzZzZz. If the fish is hiding in the rocks, it cannot see and is very sluggish. I quickly move it out with my hand or a stick to where I can get the net around it. If this doesn't work the fist night, the experience I gain makes me successful the next night.

 

Ive got 5 bucks that says yes Mark DOES wear PJ's. And I bet his favorite pair has a big ole Nemo on the chest!