Mr. Saltwater Tank

Mr. Saltwater Tank TV Friday AM Quick Tip #141: It Works For Bettas, Why Not Saltwater Fish?


Ian informs me this fish removal trick works every time, even for the most nimble and the most difficult to catch fish.

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Comments for this article (28)

  • Matt says:

    Cracking choice of T for the vid 😀

    The mirror trick will also work on some tangs… 🙂

    Great tip…should be shared as widely as possible to save a lot of reefers heartache and pain!

  • Angel says:

    Maybe this could work with my Mother-in-law.

  • Nick T says:

    Thats an awesome idea, the “Mirror Trick” to bad it only works with damsels.

  • dave says:

    now THAT is a valuable bit of info. I absolutely love the comment from angel. I would try this but I have to sneak up on the mirror.

  • Bob says:

    Great idea!
    One method that has worked for me is, Get an LED flashlight with the strobe feature. At night do a complete blackout, all the lights out including lights in the room, wait a few hours then shine the strobe light in the tank and net the disoriented fish. I was even able to gently prod one Damsel fish out of a rock cave into my net. Also worked for catching a cleaner shrimp.

  • Jason says:

    Do we know that it only works with Damsels? Has anyone tried it on other fish?

  • Rich says:

    Hi Mark Great tip appreciate all that you for us reefers. Off the record were can we get some of the music you have on you clips good stuff

  • Angel…try it and let us know!

  • Sean says:

    I am going to be trying this with my 6-line. He’s an aggressive prick so this may work with him too.

  • Jerry says:

    I imagine this would work with any aggressive fish. I’m positive that no maroon clown would sit still if there was “another” one in the tank

    Great tip. I use mirrors to curb aggression in fish, since most are more concerned with their own kind and will focus on the reflection, vs a different species they might be bullying. Thus far, it has worked every time and after a week or so, they seem to have “spent” most built up anger and become decent community fish. Or they end up in the 500g sump, on cleanup duty!

  • Barbara says:

    I am going to eventually need to remove my snowflake eel and have been trying to figure out how to do it. Any ideas?

  • Would be great to see it in action in a Video Mark 😉

  • Simon K. says:

    I’m with David on this one. Video follow up would be sweet!!

  • Dheeraj says:

    Actually as Jerry said, probably any aggressive fish. In fact, clowns are a type of damselfish.

  • Tony says:

    I wish I knew that before moving my tank wow it felt like 3hr went by trying in catch my damsels/Blue Green Chromes they are fast as heck. Lol. But all done and no loss of fish.

  • Tony says:

    Thanks Mark great job on your part.

  • Ian says:

    Glad everyone is enjoying my tip. I suppoes it could work on other fish but I have never tried. It is based on the damsels visions inability to distinguish depth of perception. If anyone tries it and has success with other species of fusb I’d luv to hear about it

  • Ian says:

    Glad everyone is enjoying my tip. I suppoes it could work on other fish but I have never tried. It is based on the damsels visions inability to distinguish depth of perception. If anyone tries it and has success with other species of fish I’d luv to hear about it

    Barbabra as for your eel, hold off on feeding him for a few days, and use a breeder box with a 2″ x 2″ hole in the side. When he swims into it to get lunch, cover the hole and all should be good.

  • Rick says:

    Sean:
    Let me know if it works on your 6 line. I have one and that guy is a real narcissistic bastard!

  • Julie says:

    I have used a LED light to catch blue/green chromis. After the lights went out in the tank, shined the light on the fish and slowly moved the net in position, scooped the fish up with no problem. Caught 4 in one night.

  • Darren says:

    Was wondering if you would bring up the 6-line. One of my favorites, watching you run around fist pumping. Knocks me off the chair every time.

  • Ted says:

    I had to use a bamboo fishing pole, line, hook & bait to finally get rid of my Clown Wrasse. Yeah I had to tear up my tank to git rid of my yellow tail damsel when I was first starting(to cycle tank).

  • Horace says:

    Hate to push a specific brand product, but the “Acclimate” has worked spectacularly for us for a number of different fish, it is an acrylic box with a cover, typically used for acclimating fish, but if you suction cup it sideways attach fishing line to the cover, and put some food in there, the fish, especially the more aggressive eaters, will go into the box, you let the line go, dropping the cover, and, voila, the fish is in the box!

  • John says:

    I have an aquamedic fish trap. works really well. Also a nice way of introducing fish. gets the other fish used to them a bit and the fish has a chance to aclimate itself further and then swim out in its own time.

    John

  • John Smith says:

    I saw a video about how to catch a six line wrasse this way. I think this is the link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xbUEqv5Zqs

  • Victor says:

    Awesome advice. On a side note, where did you get that thirst from. I love it and must have it!

  • Victor…I get my shirts from this place

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