Just Watched My Black-spot Barb Behead My Purple Emperor Tetra

[MermaidMel]

Right in front of my eyes, they aren't meant to be carnivorous
They were going back anyway, but trying to catch them is driving me nuts
I caught the big one that beheaded the fish (and spat out its poor frightened body) but I CANNOT catch the other one. Tried 3 different size nets (and various combos) and a pint glass. Had to take all the decor out the tank. What tips can you give me?

 

[jarcher1390]

hold 1 net still and use the other to carefully drive them into the other net no rash movement from either net, fish react more to vibrations in the water than what they can see in the water.

 

[divisible by zero]

when i couldnt get my RBS i just set a big net in the tank and left it until he got used to it, then pounced on him when he was relaxed in front of it.

 

[Mikaila31]

Also turning the lights off and waiting for the fish to be in a semi-asleep state will make it much easier .

 

[LakeyGal]

Try driving it into a static black net with the lights off, the black makes them feel like it's a cave so they are less resistant to being herded into it that way - if you can't get a black net I have succeeded with the foot of a black stocking attached to the nets frame. Still takes some patience with the herding technique but it's worked for my RTBS and a very skittish Barb.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

- Drop the water level
- Herd into a corner and catch them from underneath when the swim upwards
- put food over net and snatch them up when they go for it

 

[MermaidMel]

Can't catch it, and no way am I dropping the water level lol
I was thinking if I double the number of emperors to 10, the barb will be so outnumbered it might calm down?

 

[znk]

As said earlier try with the lights off.

I turn off the lights.
I shine a flashlight in the tank it kinda captivates my fish.
And slowly move the net in the water behind them.

 

[MermaidMel]

As said earlier try with the lights off.

I turn off the lights.
I shine a flashlight in the tank it kinda captivates my fish.
And slowly move the net in the water behind them.

Tried with the lights off too
I give up, it's peaced out a bit today... may try one more time tomorrow

 

[loachman]

Lowering the water level will help alot, especially combined with the other techniques. They'll have less water to move around in, so less ways of escaping.

 

[MermaidMel]

Awww it's doing loop the loops round the heater suckers, being very cute and pretty, it's not the one who killed the tetra, I might 2nd chance him if he carries on being so cute

 

[Yetti]

What? How big was the barb that beheaded the tetra?