getting a trigger out of my new reek tank??

[ruski]

I just up graded from a 120 fish only to a 210 fish only. But due to a inpules buy I got a 72in retro fit with 3-250MH and 4-96w act PC. that seemed like alot of light to waste on a fish only. So i decided to break down my 29 reef and turn the 210 into a reef (due to the inpulse buy). All the fish in the 210 are reef safe except for a humuhumu trigger and an annularis angel. I'm going to give the angel a shot in the reef, I know it is a gamble but he is so dame pretty. But the trigger is eating all of my shrimp and hermits. I have tried a couple of different ways to catch him, but all have failed. I'm hoping to get some more input from everyone. Open to suggestions.
Thanks,
Ruski

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure what you've tried, but a method that has worked for me consistantly involves a down and dirty technique. You need to either remove or just move some of the LR from one section of the tank. I end up filling a rubbermaid tub with tank water and placing the rock in there. Once you have an open spot in the tank, find something to use as a capture container; a 2 gallon bucket, one of those gallon plastic ice cream pails, tupperware container, etc.. Place this container in the open area of the tank and use a net to gently herd the fish into it, lifting the fish out of the water. Avoid netting the fish. Netting is stressful and a main cause of eye injuries and abrasions. This method works well as a fish will avoid a net but will often go right into the container for shelter. You then replace the rocks and you're done. I've used this method several times and have caught the fish within 20 minutes from start to finish.
hth.

 

[Len]

I know from personal experience how hard it is to get a trigger out. If it's not too big a trigger, I've found fish traps work. I suppose you could build yourself a larger fish trap but it is still no gurantee it will go in. What I had to do with mine is fish the trigger out with a barbless hook. It's definitely a stressful ordeal and one that I wouldn't recommend, but if you're absolutely unable to tear apart the tank to remove one fish, this may be your only solution. But since this is a newly established reef presumably with little sessile life, I recommend you remove the rock and try to coerce the trigger into a container to remove, like jdubbya says.

 

[Anonymous]

8O Triggers have always been among the easiest fish to remove for me. They are so damn outgoing. I've always just fed them, and scooped them out. I've had them swim INTO nets when I was trying to catch something else more than once!
Just put a removable shelter - jar, whatever in there. When he swims in, remove it.

Jim

 

[ruski]

The trigger has been caught!!!
I had been thinking, he alway eats out of my hand. So I have had a collction cup hanging in the tank for the last two days. And then thid morning when I fed I floated some of the flakes into the cup. and the bam slowly lifted the cup. easy as pie. He had a fear of the net, this was my problem before. thanks for all the help.
Jim your idea was right on the money

Ruski