Tropicals in RI?

[Rainer]

My roommate (also a diver) has a saltwater tank and we would be very interested in heading to RI to try to grab some tropical fish. For those who have gone collecting, please let me know (1) which beaches we should check out (looking for fish in the 2-4" range), and (2) how you go about collecting them (yes, I'm sure this is "obvious" but try to enlighten me). Details desired. Any useful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[divedivediver]

Kings Beach, Green Bridge and Ft Wetherill are all great spots to get tropicals. As for how to get them...that is a challenge...

the first is don't move around a lot....move slow and you will see more than traveling a lot of distance. Big eyes, grouper, tend to be on the bottom and butterfly, trunk fish etc are usually along ledges and in rocks.

I have used slurp guns and fish nets. For me the nets work the best. I use small aquarium nets...the handle clips onto to a brass clip.

Them I use zip lock one gallon bags....with the zipper pull. the trick is to keep your eye on the fish, catch it with the net, hold on to the fish in the net without damging the fish, then open a bag under water - put the fish and net and hand into the bag....then remove the hand and the net and seal the bag and put the fish/bag into your catch bag......all this with a dive light shining in your eyes....BTW..I use a niterider dual beam mounted to my hood.

Then.....a 5 gallon bucket that is totally cleaned and never been used for any thing like chemicals is ncecessary. Put the fish into a full bucket of salt water and transport it back home....they should last in the bucket for at least a couple of hours until you need to aerate the water ...then a bath in formalin to rid it of the buggies it might be carrying.......

or....call me...I can walk/talk u though all of the little tricks 203 214 9147

Scott
aka divedivediver

 

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

RIOceanographer and I saw a Reef Butterflyfish and a porcupine fish at wetherill last wednesday

 

[Rainer]

DDD, thanks so much for such a detailed response! When would you suggest going? Is now a good time, or would another few weeks be better (or worse)? Do you have more luck in the morning, day or at night? I'll absolutely ring you when we have a better idea when we might be going. This seems like a great way to (try to) stock the tank!

 

[divedivediver]

Night is the only time...during the day they are awake and FAST.... I started collecting about 3-4 weeks ago...so right now is an excellent time...all the way to the end of September or later. The later you go the bigger they are and the more successful you will be in making them transfer to the aquarium lifestyle....I just lost a spot fin butterfly fish last night...he just couldn't be taught to eat....oh well.....call anytime....this weekend will be a wash out due to the hurricane.....I am not sure if I will be going diving next week, but will post if I do...