Make a clownfish trap?

Weboh · 11/15/2019, 09:30 PM

Context: I have ocellaris clownfish and a haddoni anemone. In theory, the clownfish should go right for it, since that's what they host in nature. However, they don't. I think the reason for this is, for the first couple of years having the clownfish, I had no anemone or one of a different type (BTA), so they never got used to hosting an anemone. Instead they host both my palys and my hammer coral. The palys don't mind it, but the hammer coral hasn't fully opened ever since the clownfish took to it. Because of all this, I think I need to just take out my current clownfish and put in fresh ones that haven't gotten used to hosting alternatives and haven't established their territory on the side of the tank away from the anemone.

All this to say: What's the best way of removing my current clownfish? I know from experience there's no way I'm catching them with a net--too much rockwork and they have a lot more stamina than me. I once needed to remove a shrimp that I couldn't catch, so I made a trap with a 2 liter soda bottle cut with the top flipped around so there's an easy access in but a not as obvious way out. Would something like this work with the clownfish? I think if I put it on the clownfish's rock they'd keep everyone else away from it. But what really would work the best for a trap for them? What about bait? Thanks.

mnchartier · 11/16/2019, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weboh

Context: I have ocellaris clownfish and a haddoni anemone. In theory, the clownfish should go right for it, since that's what they host in nature.

Hadonni is not a natural host for ocellaris. Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantean and Stichodactyla mertensii are natural hosts. Some will take to a hadonni in our tanks but it is hit or miss. I had a beautify blue haddoni for over a year and my occ's never took for it so I traded it in due to lossing other fish to the haddoni.

Weboh · 11/16/2019, 10:02 AM

Yeah, it looks like you're correct. I don't know how I missed that when I was picking out the anemone. I guess that's another reason to get rid of my current clownfish.

ThRoewer · 11/16/2019, 01:09 PM

Easiest way to catch an ocellaris (or most other anemonefish) is in the middle of the night when they are sound asleep. Best is to use a strong flashlight to shine on the fish you want to catch, but turning all lights on full power should work as well. You will also need 2 suitable sized nets.
In most cases the fish can just be picked up without any chase.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Weboh · 11/24/2019, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

Easiest way to catch an ocellaris (or most other anemonefish) is in the middle of the night when they are sound asleep. Best is to use a strong flashlight to shine on the fish you want to catch, but turning all lights on full power should work as well. You will also need 2 suitable sized nets.
In most cases the fish can just be picked up without any chase.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Thanks! This worked perfectly!

QuickxSilver · 12/05/2019, 04:36 PM

That's a great tip, thanks for sharing

11/15/2019, 09:30 PM	#1
Weboh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 217	Make a clownfish trap? Context: I have ocellaris clownfish and a haddoni anemone. In theory, the clownfish should go right for it, since that's what they host in nature. However, they don't. I think the reason for this is, for the first couple of years having the clownfish, I had no anemone or one of a different type (BTA), so they never got used to hosting an anemone. Instead they host both my palys and my hammer coral. The palys don't mind it, but the hammer coral hasn't fully opened ever since the clownfish took to it. Because of all this, I think I need to just take out my current clownfish and put in fresh ones that haven't gotten used to hosting alternatives and haven't established their territory on the side of the tank away from the anemone. All this to say: What's the best way of removing my current clownfish? I know from experience there's no way I'm catching them with a net--too much rockwork and they have a lot more stamina than me. I once needed to remove a shrimp that I couldn't catch, so I made a trap with a 2 liter soda bottle cut with the top flipped around so there's an easy access in but a not as obvious way out. Would something like this work with the clownfish? I think if I put it on the clownfish's rock they'd keep everyone else away from it. But what really would work the best for a trap for them? What about bait? Thanks.

11/16/2019, 01:09 PM	#4
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	Easiest way to catch an ocellaris (or most other anemonefish) is in the middle of the night when they are sound asleep. Best is to use a strong flashlight to shine on the fish you want to catch, but turning all lights on full power should work as well. You will also need 2 suitable sized nets. In most cases the fish can just be picked up without any chase. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

11/16/2019, 10:02 AM	#3
Weboh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 217	Yeah, it looks like you're correct. I don't know how I missed that when I was picking out the anemone. I guess that's another reason to get rid of my current clownfish.

12/05/2019, 04:36 PM	#6
QuickxSilver Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 19	That's a great tip, thanks for sharing