Catching A Pleco?

[Proxo]

Quick question, what's the best way to catch a pretty decent sized pleco (roughly 9inch)?
I've been told not to use a net as they can get stuck...

My friend has a pleco that has out grown the tank and she's wanting to take it back to our LFS.
He's a beast of a pleco, it's not even mine and i'm sad to see it go hahaa!!

Thanks in advance

 

[fluttermoth]

I've moved big plecs using a piece of drainpipe; persuade the plec in and cover the ends with your hands.

Definitely don't use a net; I had to cut a plec out of a net in my early days of fishkeeping and it was not a pleasant experience

 

[kizno1]

By hand.
That or wait till there in a cave/tunnel and cover the exits and just lift them out that way.

 

[Piti]

Would a simple bucket be a problem? I dont know behavior to well for those fish.

 

[Uriel]

I would carefuly lift it out by hand. Be careful what you transport it in too as it may puncture a normal fish bag i believe.

 

[Proxo]

I'm going to try the cave/tunnel idea posted up the top first and if that fails i'll have to try by hand.
I'll prob transport it in a big bucket too with something over the top so he/she doesnt jump out lol, the shop isnt too far anyway!!

Hopefully its a chilled out pleco like my 2

 

[kevinjames]

I'm going to try the cave/tunnel idea posted up the top first and if that fails i'll have to try by hand.
I'll prob transport it in a big bucket too with something over the top so he/she doesnt jump out lol, the shop isnt too far anyway!!

Hopefully its a chilled out pleco like my 2

i moved my 10incher recently and used a 30 litre storage box WITH A LID as these are very powerful fish. i got one from b and m for bout £3. really useful when moving large fish

 

[Craig89]

Last time I move mine with the net

 

[charking]

i had a 14 inch pleco, and i simply got a big like duvet set cover back which was water tight filled it up with the tank water and coaxed him in with my hand, it was hassle free and putting him in another tank went a dream. it was so easy, the carpet never even got the slightest bit damp also people if you have angels... they can get stuck too, i had one catch its mouth it was horrible didnt help it was one of my breeders and i was panicing my bottom off! in the end i slowly got around it but carefully moving the net with my fingers around the poor girls mouth. she was fine though and never had any problems or marks from it!