how to catch a DESTRUCTIVE DAMSEL!

[mtodd001]

How do I accomplish this feat?

[dakar]

Without a LOT of luck, you *might* be able to bait the devil out of there into a net... most of the time you end up tearing the tank to bits trying get them out... DAMNsel's as I like to call them are very smart and you can chase them for weeks and never catch them with a loaded tank.

[lReef lKeeper]

i agree with Dave, because of the expieriance i just went through. i had to remove over 100 lbs of LR to get 5 DAMNsels out of my reef. i wil never own another one, unless it is to start a cycle on a new tank, but when the cycle is done they are in the toilet.

[dakar]

My dislike for them isn't quite that bad Bobby, they have their place... the natural agressiveness just makes them ideal canidates for their own tank.

I would never suggest using them for tank cycling, especially givent here are much more humane methods of starting the cycle.

[lReef lKeeper]

that was just being a little sarcastic Dave. I dont think i could ever REALLY flush a live fish down the toilet. These DAMNsels are a great fish for beginners also. In fact i gave 3 of them to my sister to put in her tank. and i agree they do have there place, it just is NOT in any of my tanks !!

[mtodd001]

is there any trap I can use, like the inverted water bottle or something? I have a loaded tank and really can't rip it apart. I tried to bait it w/food it the food in the net...didn't work

[dsfdbutterfly]

If your not able to remove the rock in your tank the only success I had with catching these little guys was to get more than one person envolved. My daughter had two nets and I had two. We eventually rounded up 6 of the little quick damnsels Keep in mind that this technique will stress the rest of the tank out. If you have other fish in there or have any corals I wouldn't suggest it. I knocked over rocks (dangerous to others in the tank) and had a heck of a time doing this. It still took over three hours and the fingers were raisins. It may be time for a new landscape which would be easier and a lot faster. They are quicker, smarter and can fit into amazingly small spaces in the rock to get away. How they ever get caught in the first place is still a wonder to me.

[mtodd001]

I tried the trap, but he did not go for it

[lReef lKeeper]

i think you are going to HAVE to remove everything in the tank to catch him. i know this sounds impossible buttake water out of the tank and put it in a rubbermaid bucket (be sure not to smash anything) putting all the rock in the bucket of water. then it will take all of 30 seconds to catch him. a good point is that when you are done you can then reaquascape your tank.

[mtodd001]

someone over @ RAG told me to use a #28 hook and go fishing.