Tips on netting fish in the same tank as large vatf

[SandNukka15]

Hey guys... I'm thinning out some stock on Sunday and will be selling my 6 peacock bass out of my 600 gallon. Only problem is idk how my 18 inch vatf is going to respond with me trying to net the bass out. The tank is 30 inch high and I was going to drain down to about 10 inches or so to make netting easy. In afraid the vatf is going to make a jump for it.

Any tips from those of you that have experience with this?

 

[SandNukka15]

I'm thinking maybe net the vatf and put him into a tote with a secured lid for temporary until the rest of the fish are netted out?

 

[SandNukka15]

I feel like I'm talking to myself on this thread haha but draining the tank in a couple hrs..... wish me luck!

 

[nzafi]

Good luck!!!

 

[Troy1015]

My opinion would be to go slow and steady netting the bass out. Drain off some of the water as you stated to make it easier. If you feel comfortable removing it then do it but I would leave it in the tank personally but you know the fishes personality best. Good luck.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I'd just leave the vatf in there. Take out all the wood, rocks, etc for the bass to use to hide. Trust me this will make it 100% easier.

 

[SandNukka15]

The tank only has substrate. But everything went well. I decided to drop the water level down to about 8 inches.... I netted the vatf out pit him in a large dark bin and quickly netted all the other fish out. He wasn't in the bin long maybe 15 mins..... I then put the bin straight into the tank opened it slowly and he swam out no problems. Didnt seem to lose any scales either.

 

[SandNukka15]

If I were to just net out a couple fish I would of left him in there but considering It was 6 big bass 2 decent size catfish and 2 wide bars I knew he would of jumped or gotten more stressed out

 

[fishnatics]

Glad everything went well