Catching fish

[phillips321]

Im trying to catch a 2 inch malawi thats in my tank so i can transfer it to my other tank where the others are. The reason for doing this is that my jewels have bred and are guarding their fry, heavily!!!!

He is being a right pain to catch, ive been trying for to days now, has any1 got any good tricks that i should know to make this a little easier? I preferably dont want to take all the ornaments out due to the fry.

P.s. Im currently using a net

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

do you want to keep the jewel fry?
if you do, leave the tank alone, they will eat the fry if they feel threatened.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

i know how you feel! i have had to catch fish in a heavily planted tank. its tiring lol
maybe you could try using two nets. try guiding him into one net with the other. or try distracting him with food while you creep up behind him
i cant remember what i did to catch my fish. i think i just persisted and eventually got them. i wasnt trying for two days though

 

[SPLiSH]

At feeding time, sneak up behind him while he's occupied with eating and get him. Try not to chase him around for too long though, or he might get extremely stressed. Good luck!

 

[The-Wolf]

as a last resort lower the water to around an inch high (keep as much of the water as you can, I put mine in a 60 ltr bin that I brought just for that purpose)

 

[SPLiSH]

as a last resort lower the water to around an inch high (keep as much of the water as you can, I put mine in a 60 ltr bin that I brought just for that purpose)

That's a good idea under normal circumstances, but since there are fry in the tank, I wouldn't reccommend draining the water or other things that may stress the fry and parents.

 

[phil]

Hi Splish

Try getting 3 pieces of clear perspex (slightly smaller than your tank height size - they can be any size you want width wise) fasten them together like so

|_| (sorry it`s small but I`m not good at putting images onto mails yet)

You can then try isolating your fish in the trap (open end against the glass) and netting it in a reduced area - but remember not to keep going at it or you will stress your fish.

I used aquarium sealant and 2 lengths of piano hinge (but any hinges should work as long as they dont rust).

This has worked on mine when I moved my silver sharks x 2 and my gibbiceps.

Phil

 

[purple_drazi]

how about just getting some aquarium divider material (plastic with venting holes, cheap), dropping it down in the tank when the malawi is in a relatively clear space and using it to herd him to where you can net him?
You can buy whatever size you think would work best for your size tank and it's flexible so you could even surround him with it like a corral.

 

[clutterydrawer]

try catching cories in a small heavily planted tank, not fun.

you could try leaving the net in the tank so he hets used to it and will swim in.near it then whip it up quickly as soon as you see him in it.

 

[Nidge]

Take out all large objects and use two large nets. If you dont catch after a short time leave the fish be for a few hours as it will cause alot of stress on the fish.

 

[Fishy411]

i just sit there waiting for them to swim between the net and the glass and when they do i scoop them up. You could also try puting some flakes in the net.