How do you capture your fish?

[Neptune 555]

I am going to be starting a round of tank transfer on 2 clowns / 1 blue spotted jawfish / 1 mandarin.

How should I capture to move them on the presecribed schedule found in the disease section?

I have always used nets? I have read in this forum that the preferred method is to use tupperware to catch fish? IF a net is bad b/c it hurts the slime coat why would tupperware be better? They still lie against it? How would you ever get the fish to swim into the tupperware?

AND why does EVERY LFS use nets? I have never even seen a LFS use tuperware?

Neptune

 

[bobkill]

Well that's a tuff question- bc sometimes you can't xxTch them no matter what you try ! I try to hand catch them which works most of the time in smaller tanks then in my DT- I have to use a net- we pull all our tangs when we add in a new tang - I would just suggest trying to trap them , then trying to use a container then use net -

I also only try for 5 min then off for 10 then re try- which I think gives the fish time to calm down and not run them into the ground

 

[RayL]

AND why does EVERY LFS use nets? I have never even seen a LFS use tuperware?

Neptune

One of the LFS by me uses nets on all the common fish, but on all the rare and expensive fish, he uses a tupperware to catch them. I am not sure the reasoning behind it, but I have to assume the tupperware is safer for the fish over a net. It might have to do with parts of the fish getting stuck to the netting but I am not sure

 

[MondoBongo]

whichever way i can.

if it is feasible to use nets, that is generally the easiest. obviously that becomes harder if you can't remove rocks, or otherwise make a clear path for the net.

i have also used fish traps. they take a lot of patience, but generally seem to be less stressful for all involved.

my LFS has a sort "tupperware bowl" on a long handle. looks like a long plastic dipper, that they use in place of a net sometimes. i can't find it on the google right now, and i'm not quite sure what its proper name is, but it is translucent plastic that they say makes it harder for the fish to see, and doesn't have any netting to rub against their skin.

 

[mrx66699]

Nets get caught on gills flat surfaces don't

 

[davocean]

If your clowns are hosted by a nem or coral it is usually pretty easy to catch them at night, they are typically heavy sleepers.
Use a flashlight, you have like a minute or two, they are dazed and clueless at first, you should be able to scoop w/ your hand or cup, and you'll probably see them freak out a minute or two after being caught when they do wake.
I've done this lots of times

 

[Master Kyle 297]

Catch them in the middle of the night and turn the lights on suddenly. It will disorient them and make them so you can even catchthem with your hands. The jawfish is skittish so be careful. If not use an empty water bottle and cut out the top and invert it so i creates a tube for them to go in and have trouble getting out

 

[Paul B]

Spear gun

 

[Neptune 555]

OK... thanks for suggestions! and information and humor : )

Neptune

 

[snorvich]

If your clowns are hosted by a nem or coral it is usually pretty easy to catch them at night, they are typically heavy sleepers.
Use a flashlight, you have like a minute or two, they are dazed and clueless at first, you should be able to scoop w/ your hand or cup, and you'll probably see them freak out a minute or two after being caught when they do wake.
I've done this lots of times

This. When fish are "down for the night" they are easy.

 

[maroun.c]

I use this one.
Believe it's made by Aquarium systems if I remember correctly.

Fish seem not to see it coming and it's smoother on their skin especially after shipping and damaged slime coats...

 

[MondoBongo]

Maroun, that is exactly what I was thinking about!

 

[Allmost]

a plastic microwave dish.

many fish get stuck to net. no good as that can damage them, and stress me ! we all know how bad it feels when a fish is stuck to the net and u cant get it off ...

I used to use glass made microwave dishes ... till I dropped one and cracked a tank ... so plastic it is now.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

I usually use a fish bag, but that thing of Maroun's looks cool! Going to try to find one.

 

[maroun.c]

The weird thing about it is that if the fish panics it starts swimming in circles inside it and diesnt jump out. Its of course best to keep your hand blocking the exit to avoid a jump.

 

[cdavis179]

catch them in the middle of the night and turn the lights on suddenly. It will disorient them and make them so you can even catchthem with your hands. The jawfish is skittish so be careful. If not use an empty water bottle and cut out the top and invert it so i creates a tube for them to go in and have trouble getting out

+1

 

[Betta132]

For your jawfish, use a bottle trap to save stress.
Your mandarin shouldn't be too hard to catch... Stick a tupperware in and use your hand to steer him into it.

 

[Luke Schnabel]

Has anyone used a fish trap do they work well?

 

[Betta132]

Bottle traps work great for gobies, blennies, most bottom-dwelling fish, and probably jawfish. Catch your mandarin first, then don't feed the tank for a day or two. Your jawfish will get hungry and be willing to go after whatever bait you use.

 

[foundnemo11]

I had to get a dotty back out. Catching with a net is near impossible.

I cut a water bottle in half then flipped the top upside down so that the brim you drink out of was in near the bottom of the bottle. Then I put fish food in the bottom and put the bottle infront of his fav hiding spot. 10 min later I came back and he was stuck in it.