There are traps that you can buy.  I have had similar issues.  The first one was a damsel that was needing to be removed.  Unfortunately I had way to much rock to be able to just catch it.  I actually removed most of my LR and then netted the fish.  Luckily I found a LPS that took it in.  The other time I had a maroon clown that was being a bully, so I caught it as it was sleeping.  Fish move slower while they are sleeping.

Really it depends on what you have in your tank.  If you have a lot of LR it is a pain to take out the rock to get out a few small fish.  Another way might be to get the fish to feed in a place that you could then capture it in.  As an example a large net or container, but I have had zero luck doing it that way.  Also if is it possible you can section off the tank and get the fish to be cornered where you could capture it.

I guess if you are going to just flush them once you are done with them, then go ahead with the hooky thingy.  It might be another way to get a fishing fix.  (FWIW I am an avid fisherman, so the fishing idea would be interesting, so I guess I don't need to go out doors to enjoy one of my many other addictions/hobbies!)

Have you tried whistling and slapping your knee? It works with my dogs ...

You might try grabbing them directly after lights out.  I know Jeff has had luck with his Cardinals this way. Maybe the rapid reduction in light confuses them momentarily????

I have seen people hook fish before and I think it is less stressful than tearing up the rock work and chasing them around for an hour. It's also less traumatic on the remaining tank inhabitants.

Maybe you could video it and we could watch it at the next meeting. It would be educational and entertaining.

Good Luck

Ryan,

This thread went a long way before I saw it just now. Since you never called or came by, I brought the trap to the meeting hoping you were still in need of it. Have you caught them yet?

It's not that hard to catch fish when they are asleep and the lights suddenly turn on, unless they sleep in a cavity of the rocks.

For those talking about hooks,, it's a size 22 and it works great on a piece of nightcrawler! It does not damage or bother the fish, or at least it didn't bother mine! I ended up catching the Tomato Clown but that was the wrong one. The five inch Black Velvet Neon Damsel was just too smart so I had to wait until I moved the tank to catch it! They are neat when small but terrible as they age.

The trap is free of charge, courtesy of club member Rick Bangerter, to anyone that wants to borrow it.

My post above started out poorly worded. What I wish I had said was that I had been wondering if you were still in need of removing some damsels. Then when Jeremy showed up at the meeting with the trap and I gave it to you, not knowing of this thread, I was a little surprised at how enthusiastically you accepted it.