To catch a coral-munching blenny

[ScubaSteve]

Sooooo.... Seems my combtooth blenny has all of a sunned taken a great liking to all my SPS. Bugger has to go!

Over the past few days I saw a few bitten tips on one of my colonies and I was suspecting either the blenny or my coral beauty. Last night I was sitting on the couch and I could literally hear the tips being crunched off my milli. Turned the lights on and sure enough a bunch of tips were gone. The only one that seemed awake was the blenny (he lives in a crevice surrounded by the afflicted SPS colonies). Red handed.

Now the question is: how the hell do I get him out without tearing apart the tank? Any tricks?

[mrhasan]

Bottle trick using a sps inside it as bait?

[gregzz4]

I've had good success with a bottle trap for crabs and shrimps
Depending on how big he is, can't hurt to try

Are you going to confirm it's the blenny before you yank it out ?
A red light, or a flashlight shone through your fingers works well

[Marlin65]

They are not easy to catch trap is most likely your best bet.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I've had good success with a bottle trap for crabs and shrimps
Depending on how big he is, can't hurt to try

Are you going to confirm it's the blenny before you yank it out ?
A red light, or a flashlight shone through your fingers works well

He's the only one active at night when the corals get bit. I've seen him take a little bite of one of my montis and the bit makes look consistent with the bite marks made in the algae on my glass... So fairly confident.

[gregzz4]

So how big is it ? Will it fit through the neck of a 500ml bottle easily ?

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

So how big is it ? Will it fit through the neck of a 500ml bottle easily ?

Ya, he might fit into one of those necks. The trick is how to lure him in. He doesn't seem to go for seaweed of anything.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Ya, he might fit into one of those necks. The trick is how to lure him in. He doesn't seem to go for seaweed of anything.

You may use SPS to lure him since he loves those.

[gregzz4]

I've had good success with both raw and cooked shrimp
A day or so for it to stink and they can't resist it

For you, some food ( mysis etc ) in a small nylon bag ( like a little ball ) in the bottle might be enough

Maybe even some pellets ... anything that won't float

[apexifd]

If all else's fail.. sharpen chop stick with few strong elastic band should do the trick