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Help!!! Cleaner Wrasse stuck in overflow

Hi, I have a 144 half circle tank and my cleaner wrasse must of either jumped into the overflow or there is a opening that we didnt notice untill a couple days ago at the top. We tried feeding him brine shrimp but he won't come up to the top anymore. I got him a week ago and he is eating brine shrimp though. He is picking at the inside of the overflow. Any suggestions?
 

hcker99

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put a filter sock on the down pipe at the sump, lift the down pipe from the top of the tank out of the bulk head. This will create a toilet flush effect and the wrasse will be flushed into the sock.
 
Thanks we are going to go get a sock now. And actually we found our neon goby in the other overflow that has been missing for months!!!!!
Thanks again
 

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Sounds like you need to close off any large holes leading into your overflows to prevent this from happening again later. ;)

Good luck with the sock trick. Just be prepared that when you do that, you will get a fast inflow of water to your sump that may overflow it.

I'd suggest doing the following first:
1. Turn off the return pump and let the sump fill up to whatever the overflow lets it.
2. Pump water out of the sump and into buckets or a large rubbermaid so it's as empty as you can get.
3. Do the filter sock/ remove drain pipe as hcker99 described.
4. Replace the pipe as soon as you see the fish go down the drain.
5. Be prepared to pump more water out of the sump if it gets too close to the top before the fish goes down the drain.

With that method, you should avoid any flooding problems. Also, BE AWARE that if your overflow wall isn't sealed off properly and/or if you have holes in it at the bottom... the overflow chamber will keep filling and won't empty out. That means your whole display will keep draining into the sump and you could have a major flood if you have problems getting the drain pipe back in after you pull it out. If this happens, turn on the return pump again and that should keep up with the water draining into the sump.
 
great idea,a friend of mine had the same prob ,it was very hard getting the fish out and they loved jumping in there 18fisher
 
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