Worried about moving my fish

[iwishtofish]

I'm about to move my Kole Yellow-Eye tang from my 20-long QT to my 75g DT. I've received a couple great tips on moving the fish, but I'm still really concerned about it. Although it is really healthy and has recovered from a nasty gash to the side, it is still a very timid fish, and moves in the blink of an eye.

I don't want to injure it again, or stress it to death. For those of you who have moved skittish tangs successfully, what worked for you?

 

[shaggss]

dynamite!

sorry cant help you!

 

[Toddrtrex]

Use a container and not a net.

 

[goodtimes2]

Make sure it is well fed before the move, move it under low light just before the lights go off and make sure you feed your fish well in your display tank for the first week. Alos if you have some aggressive fish, take them out and leave them in your QT tank, or at least reaarange the rock work just prior to your transfer.

Good luck

 

[TheFishTeen]

I get really nervous moving/catching fish. They act very scared (gee, i don't blame them!) What seems to work for me is keeping the lights off.

 

[iwishtofish]

First, thanks, everyone!

dynamite!

sorry cant help you!

Use a container and not a net.

How do I catch it in the container without it hurting itself ramming the transparent sides? Obviously, remove the pvc hiding places first, as well? I'm afraid just that will set the fish up to know something is very wrong...

Supposing I can get it in the container, how do I get it out without the QT water?

Make sure it is well fed before the move, move it under low light just before the lights go off and make sure you feed your fish well in your display tank for the first week. Alos if you have some aggressive fish, take them out and leave them in your QT tank, or at least reaarange the rock work just prior to your transfer.

Good luck

It eats like a pig - no problem, there. And no other fish, yet.

I get really nervous moving/catching fish. They act very scared (gee, i don't blame them!) What seems to work for me is keeping the lights off.

Can do that!

 

[iwishtofish]

Oh, and acclimation? Swap out QT water with DT water for a while, first?

 

[Toddrtrex]

By now the QT water should be pretty close to your DT's water, so if that is the case, wouldn't worry about acclimation*.

For using a container, a cool wipe one will work -- it isn't transparent. Cut some holes in the bottom of it, so you can drain out the water before moving the fish.

* --- if you are worried about the fish fighting with existing fish, you can use an acclimation box to let them get used to each other. I use those often when introducing/transferring fish.

 

[iwishtofish]

Ok, thanks, Todd. And do I only have to worry about pH and salinity match for water parameters, or are there other things?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Temp too, be within a couple of degrees, otherwise for a fish I wouldn't worry too much (( assuming your DT is fully running, with no ammonia and the like )).

 

[rogermccray]

Ok, thanks, Todd. And do I only have to worry about pH and salinity match for water parameters, or are there other things?

From what SK8R says in the New to Hobby sticky, you should just verify that you have salinity the same between tanks and then you would be good to just move the fish over. Chances are your fish will be quite skittish for a while after you move him. I always move my fish over after my lights have gone out for the night, I read somewhere that you don't want them on for a while after the move.

 

[iwishtofish]

Temp too, be within a couple of degrees, otherwise for a fish I wouldn't worry too much (( assuming your DT is fully running, with no ammonia and the like )).

Ok, thanks. I'm thinking of using the pvc pipe to catch the fish. It's a fairly long piece, and if I can cover both ends quickly, I have him.

From what SK8R says in the New to Hobby sticky, you should just verify that you have salinity the same between tanks and then you would be good to just move the fish over. Chances are your fish will be quite skittish for a while after you move him. I always move my fish over after my lights have gone out for the night, I read somewhere that you don't want them on for a while after the move.

Thanks - after lights, it is!