Help! My Reed Fish Has Decided To Play Hide And Seek

[lokkochaa]

My reed fish, has somehow, managed to get himself into my internal filter. Its one of those Jewel tanks with the filter attached to it in the back corner. The water level was quite a bit below the lip of the filter so im not exactly sure how it managed to get in.

Firstly I had no idea where it had gone as its about a foot long and is normally easy to spot, on closer inspection a head could be seen sticking up out the back of the filter where there is space for the heaters.

Ive raised the level to make it easier for him to get out, should i just leave it to it and hope it comes out, or spend god knows how long unplugging every thing, removing the heater, filter and power head and trying to coax it out?

Any ideas?

 

[WILDER]

Can he get out if you remove the filter as usually there a hole, or is he to big.

 

[lokkochaa]

Can he get out if you remove the filter as usually there a hole, or is he to big.

Na hes quite slim just VERY long so show be able tto get out, just not sure if he will have the intelligence to do it on his own

 

[WILDER]

Turn tank light out and go out of the room and leave it ten minutes to see if he comes out on his own.
If not you will have to net him out.

 

[lokkochaa]

Turn tank light out and go out of the room and leave it ten minutes to see if he comes out on his own.
If not you will have to net him out.

Was hoping you wouldnt say that, there is no way i can get a net down there, there is only enough room for say 3 heaters placed downwards, ive removed the powerhead and the hole is now open, also the water level is above the top of the filter housing so hoping he can get out that way.

Can see him now think he's hiding, not really sure what i can do, hope he isnt stuck cos there is NO way i can get the housing off

 

[WILDER]

I've had to pull push out with my hands when they got into the juwel boxes.
Can you lift him out with your hands.

 

[lokkochaa]

I've had to pull push out with my hands when they got into the juwel boxes.
Can you lift him out with your hands.

I have pretty big hands so not sure if they would fit down there, what a stupid design you would think they would put a removeable lid or something on it.

Im gonna leave it tonight and see what happens, having the pump off for one night will be fine, and if it somes to it tomorrow im gonna have to emove everything and go fishing!

 

[WILDER]

Mine has a lid that comes off.
Anybody else in the house that has smaller hands.

 

[lokkochaa]

Mine has a lid that comes off.
Anybody else in the house that has smaller hands.

Yes but they dont like fishing lol

Lights are off and going to see if it comes out tonight if not im gonna have to take drastic measures, dont wanna loose it

 

[WILDER]

If you leave the pump off you could lose some benefical bacteria.
Do you have an airstone for aeration.

 

[lokkochaa]

If you leave the pump off you could lose some benefical bacteria.
Do you have an airstone for aeration.

Yeah 2 airstones running.

Luckily the little blighter has decided to come out PHEW!!!!

Wather level is now lowered and im going to fabricate a cover for the filter housing over the weekend, thanks for your advice Wilder, really helped me out

 

[WILDER]

That's a good then bless him.
Yes make sure he can't get in again.
Glad you can go to bed not being stressed.

 

[lokkochaa]

That's a good then bless him.
Yes make sure he can't get in again.
Glad you can go to bed not being stressed.

Phew lol all good now!!!!

 

[Davo86]

when my reeds were in my rio 240L i resorted to taking the sponges and heater out of the casing as my reeds had setup residence inside it, they lived in this for over a year, only coming out for food and exercise before returning to their 'home'

Even if you drop the water level it will still get in, I was amazed at how they could leave the water to stretch themselves over the side of the casing

 

[jourdy288]

You may want to try using some sort of netting to cover the entrance to the filter.