Catching my eel

[kilo32]

I'm thinking about getting rid of my zebra moray eel as I'd like to add some smaller fish which would just become dinner if I left him in the tank. Anyone know of a good way of catching him. Since he'll come to the top to be fed I was thinking of baiting a hook with the barb removed so that I can snag him but I'm not sure if that would be the best way or if that would injure him. If I do catch him I'll be interested in finding him a new home for anyone thats interested in him at a reasonable price. He's about 18" long.

 

[KrisDeitz]

I had a huge snowflake and I would feed him by hand. When he came up I scooped him up

 

[jennm]

Get a length of PVC Pipe and place it in the tank. When he goes into it to hide, put a net around each end of the pipe and lift it out with the nets. Have a bucket of water ready and keep in mind he may try to jump out of the bucket - have a plan to get him moved someplace ASAP.

Usually Zebras leave fish alone - it's crustaceans they go after.

Jenn

 

[dme330i]

kilo32;704884 wrote: I'm thinking about getting rid of my zebra moray eel as I'd like to add some smaller fish which would just become dinner if I left him in the tank. Anyone know of a good way of catching him. Since he'll come to the top to be fed I was thinking of baiting a hook with the barb removed so that I can snag him but I'm not sure if that would be the best way or if that would injure him. If I do catch him I'll be interested in finding him a new home for anyone thats interested in him at a reasonable price. He's about 18" long.

I did this with my overgrown engineer goby. Be sure to remove the barb and don't let the fish swallow the hook.

Here's my vid - I'm sure some people think it's cruel. But, the goby is alive and well in a friend's tank to this day.

Jenn's idea would work well too.

<div class="gc_ifarem_title">210 Saltwater Reef Tank - Catching My Engineer Goby - YouTube</div>

 

[swampchamp]

seems like too large of an eel to use a hook on. id go with pvc option

 

[kilo32]

swampchamp;705367 wrote: seems like too large of an eel to use a hook on. id go with pvc option

I don't know if he would go into the PVC. I have an eel cave that he doesn't go near. He lives in the overflow and comes out to eat otherwise he'll travel around the tank but always goes back to the overflow. He's pretty aggressive when he eats and comes up out of the water about 4 or 5 inches to grab a silversides that I feed from a pair of tongs. I'd have to bait him from the overflow anyways because otherwise I'd be catching my Harlequin Tusk who is an even crazier feeder. He's snatched a silverside from the eels mouth before. No fear.