How Do You Catch A Fish?

[ColR1948]

I've got my new tank set up now and I'm trying to catch a Loach that is in one of my other tanks.
I inherited it with the new tank and had to put it in one of my other tanks till I got this one set up, he is a bit too big for the tank it's in.
The thing is it is orange and being around 4-5 inches you would think I could easily spot it, but no. It just goes to the back of the tank behind the plants and rocks and vanishes, I am trying not to disturb the established plants, I moved a few rocks but still I can't locate it.
After I give up and let things settle it appears as if to tease me, I was thinking of putting a net in there and see if it goes in and if I'm quick enough it won't be able to back out in time, any other ideas besides moving almost everything out of the tank?

 

[Chad]

Here's how I have caught fish in the past: http/youtu.be/-Cha0RrhPBQ

 

[Aquascaper]

Some sort of divider? Put food in an open area and put the diver in. Also, leave the net in the tank for a while as this will reduce the surprise factor of it. Move the net slowly to 'herd' the fish into a suitable area and scoop.

 

[mhancock]

Taking most of the water out makes it much easier, but with a big water change you will need warm water ready before lowering the water in your tank to minimise distress.

 

[Aquascaper]

Taking most of the water out makes it much easier

Not really feasible with a planted tank as the OP has.

 

[Bugdozer]

Rod and reel?

 

[fluttermoth]

Two nets; a small one to herd the fish along with and a larger one, kept still and low down to chase the fish into.

Even better than the bigger net would be some sort of container or tub; most loaches, along with most catfish, have spikes on that are easily tangled in nets. I use old filter bodies which fish like swimming into; they see it as a 'safe' cave

 

[Ruskull]

Here's how I have caught fish in the past: http/youtu.be/-Cha0RrhPBQ

That's a very interesting video, thanks for that!

 

[Chad]

Here's how I have caught fish in the past: http/youtu.be/-Cha0RrhPBQ

That's a very interesting video, thanks for that!

Doesn't work for big fish of course, for that I use an actual fish trap.
With reef tanks or with heavily planted tanks it's just easier to trap a fish than to chase it when they have so so so many places to hide.

 

[ColR1948]

Well I caught it!

This time I watched it in the tank, I moved slowly towards the tank and it went to the back then I saw it move upwards and vanish.
Where it moved was, I have a synthetic tree root and unbenown to me it had a hollow part and that was where it was hiding.
I coaxed it out and used the 2 net approach, trapping it in the bigger net, I also caught a Tetra along with it which I released later back to it's normal tank.

I have 2 Panda Garra and it might be my imagination but they did get along with it and they were all over the tank as if looking for it, seems a shame to move it but it was a bit big where it was, I'm sure once it settles down it will be happier where it is now. (I hope).

 

[ColR1948]

Just for interest, like I said I inherited it when I got the large tank and i never really knew what type it was.
I just did a Google search and the nearest picture I could see was a Dojo Loach, they say they can be mistaken for a Khuli (spelling) but the latter only grows to 4" where this one seems to be slightly bigger.
I did have a weather Loach a couple of years ago and this one is defferent, plus it doesn't go crazy when there is high pressure.

 

[Chad]

Very good. Glad you were able to catch it.
It can certainly be a challenge when you inherit a fish.

 

[mhancock]

Taking most of the water out makes it much easier

Not really feasible with a planted tank as the OP has.

I do it with my planted tank - they go back up again when you put the water back

 

[Ruskull]

Taking most of the water out makes it much easier

Not really feasible with a planted tank as the OP has.

I do it with my planted tank - they go back up again when you put the water back

Yup, works for my planted tanks also. The taller plants just droop down a bit as the water is removed, but they slowly go back up with the water level, no biggie.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

I would put a flowerpot in the tank, make the fish go in it, then scoop it up.