How do I remove a tang?

I currently have a Two Spot Bristletooth tang that is showing tremendous amounts of aggression towards my Diamond Goby. Last night I also noticed that it was showing aggression towards my clowns. It shows no aggression towards the Blue Hippo though.

I want to remove the tang from the tank, but don't want to tear apart the entire tank to catch the guy. I have a 5 foot long 120 gallon tank.

How should I go about catching him?

Also, my Blue Hippo tang gets stressed very easily so I do not want to put undue stress on any of the other fish.

 

There are acrylic fish traps available or you could DIY something similar with some sort of a trap door and put food in there.

Otherwise lots of people have used small barbless hooks with a piece of mysis on it. Seriously, go fishing.

You can also wait until the lights go out, watch where it sleeps and see if you can scoop it into a specimen container or something while it's asleep or groggy from waking up.

 

I don't like this story - that's a tang I'm considering! I'm sorry he's being such a bully. I've never had to catch a fish, but I've heard success stories with fish traps.

 

The method that my LFS uses to catch tangs seems to work well>>>
Get one the large plastic containers that LFS's have that hang on the side of the tank. Submerge the container on its side preferably at a narrow point where there's just enough space between the rock work and glass that the container completely blocks that route. Now use your hand (or possibly a net) to guide the fish into the the alley that you have created. You may need to be fast and/or lucky to get your hand covering enough of the container before the tang reverses course and bolts from the container. You'll also need to be carefull that it doesn't leap out of the container once you have it lifted out of the tank. This method combined with a bit of patience and a few decades of experience seems to work like a charm.

 

small barbless fish hook..

 

I've read of attempts involving all of the above mentioned methods. Please report back when you have found success. Stories involving "you might" are always trumped by tales including "I did."

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I am going to see what the LFS will offer me in trade or if someone in the local area wants to buy/trade for it.

I will let you know what method works best as soon as I get it out of the tank.

 

Actually I hear they are one of the least aggressive ( and smallest) tangs out there.

 

good luck.

If the tang has been in the tank for a while it will be near impossible to get out without removing the rock. I had an established sailfin and a yellow tang that were frikkin ninjas whenever a net hit the water. Traps never worked with them either, I swear they would throw flash bang grenades and disappear when I ever even thought about trying to get them out.

~Will.

 

Ha Ha. That is so true. The Bristletooth has been in the tank for about 2-3 months. I am going to get a trap for it, but they are on back order at the LFS. I hope mine is not a black belt ninja master.