How To Catch A Fish...that Doesn't Want To Be Caught?

[Orodreth]

I have been having some problems with my Platys. There were always three males and one female in my tank (I know this is not good and that the ratios are wrong but I was new and the fish shop man didn't point it out to me). One of the males then became agressive to one of the others and would chase and bully him. I have now the bullied one to a larger tank and he now has 5 females to choose from all by himself. I also purachased one more female to go in the older tank. All confusing I know but it's not what the post is about anyway Now the bully has started showing aggression to the third male and I really want to move one of them into the larger tank (leaving one male and two females). The problem is I can't catch either of them! I can easily have caught anything else in the tank, the Danios keep swimming into the net and the female Platys swim to me but I can't catch either of the males. I have tried nets, jugs, hands, everything but I don't do it too much so I don't stress anyone out. Does anyone have any ideas of how to catch them? I really do need to because the bullied one is now becoming really shy Also I have no room to add more females unless I do a complete stock move and thats what we will call Plan Z

 

[Miss Wiggle]

remove all plants and ornaments from the tank, drain until it's only half full, get two nets, hold one at one end of the tank and use teh other to guide the fish into the waiting net.

 

[rdd1952]

The 2 net method usually works without any problems. You may even be able to catch him without removing all the stuff from the tank. I would definitely try it during a water change before adding the water back so that the level is low.

 

[Lion007]

Yeah i usually take 50% of the water out, and anything they can hide behind, then get the fish i want into a corner and work up - the fish usually swims up and is easy to net. If only they were as easy as my plec - i can just take the cave out with him in lol

 

[Orodreth]

Woohoo Thanks all, I emptied the tank a little and then got myself a second net and Voila! he is now swimming happily amongst five females and not being chased or bullied at all.