Damn Loaches!

[bex1]

I have 2 golden zebra loaches in my tank and theyre nothing but trouble!! they chase my other fish, fight each other and now theyre trying to eat my new golden apple snails!! i want to catch them and take them to my lfs but i cant catch them, theyre too fast and always hide, any tips on how to catch them easily?
thanks x x x x

 

[jayjay]

take all decor out of the tank, use two nets and be pacient (sp?) .

did you not know loaches eat snails? by the way.

 

[wendywc]

You might have to remove some water to get the water level down and remove the plants, caves, and decor to get to them. Try using a net and a big cup.

Personally, I think it's cute that they were trying to get your apple snails. They are snail eaters which is one reason why most people like them so much. Sounds like it's all for the best that you're going to rehome them though... the cories will have more ground to cover now.

EDIT: jayjay beat me to most of what I said. I'm a slow typist.

 

[jayjay]

EDIT: jayjay beat me to most of what I said. I'm a slow typist.

lol

i can't see the snails thinking it was cute though that they were trying to be eaten.

 

[The-Wolf]

Bex1
where are you?
I'd take them off your hands.

the best way I've found of catching loaches is bare tank and reduce water level to 3"

 

[bex1]

thanks for the advice! moving all the decor etc will stress out all the other fish to much including my new ones!, im going to try leaving the net in there for a couple of hours so theyre used to it and then be patient and catch them, and i didnt know they ate snails till id bought them! lol! The-Wolf im in Cornwall so a bit far to travel to collect them!
cheers anymore advice welcome!
x x x x

 

[millym]

we've found the easiest way to catch fish is by using a 'fish bottle trap' do a google search for 'fish bottle trap' or similar keywords & you'll find some good pics on various sites.(sorry i cant work out how to link for you) but basically cut a 2L cool drink bottle in half, ( the top end- bottle neck needs to be of wide enough size for your loaches to fit in)place the top half inverted inside the bottom half put in some of loaches fav food place in fishtank & wait..............fish swim in & cant get out. we used this to catch a cae..it took a couple of days but worked a treat. although when you have the trap set you NEED to keep an eye on it as you'll find that all your fish at one time or other will end up in it & you dont want an angry loach stuck in there with some other poor fish as it could really injure/hurt/kill it.
good luck

 

[bex1]

finally i caught the loaches after taking out all the rocks and wood, it still took around 45mins with 2 nets!! the loaches are in a bag now floating in the tank and i'll take them to my lfs tommorrow, will they be ok in the bag over night? what can i do to reduce the stress on them? and also reduce the stress to the other fish as they were all very distressed and swimming irratically, ive turned out the light is there anything else i could do?
please reply asap
cheers x x x

 

[jayjay]

you haven't tied the bag up have you?

duno how long they'll be ok in the bag, have you got a breeding trap? you could put them in there till the morning that might work.

 

[bex1]

havent got a breeding trap! unfortunatly!
im going to pump the bag with air using a bike pump then tie it up, someone sugested that would be ok
cheers x x

 

[jayjay]

your going to pump it then leave it over night tied? i don't think that's ok.

leave the bag floating in the tank open over night then tie it before you take them back to the lfs tommorrow.

 

[bex1]

but then they'll escape!
x

 

[jayjay]

but then they'll escape!
x

better then them dying? if you've rolled down the sides it shud float and you could put a bit of net or something along those lines over the top?

 

[clareriley]

They wont escape if you anchor it to the side somwhow. And some advice for you before you buy more fish. Research the fish on the net before you think of getting them. I have done many fish trips back to the LFS due to not reasearching, I learned my lesson now and many years later sit here for hours to make sure what i get it what I want for my tank and other tank mates.

 

[bex1]

they survived the night and im taking them to my lfs now, thanks for all the advice.
i know i should have researched them more but unfortunatly i got these 2 loaches right at the start when i got my new tank and got some bad advice from lfs, but i found another good lfs now, so hopefuly no more mistakes!
thanks x