Best method for catching fry in a community tank?

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FINWIN

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
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Dec 21, 2018
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Ok...my HRP Pip's fry are now between 3/4 and 1"...they seem to grow after every water change in the 225. There's about 30 of them and they recognize me and 'cluster up' for food. They are safe from every fish but one...my Oscar Brick. Their size is now catching his attention and he snaps at them like a bass on a lure.

They'll likely go in a tote until I get them to 2 inches and then I'll call around to see who's interested. Considering the "two net" method but if anyone has opinions or suggestions, let me know. I'm not exactly looking forward to fishing them out. Will probably keep 3 or 4 of them long term.
 
Well, if they were typical livebearers or Rosy Reds, I'd say just dip the net in and they are so stupid they will eventually just swim in. But, we're talking about cichlids, i.e. genius-level fish, so much more challenging.

It doesn't sound as though you are in a hurry, so why not get a minnow trap at a fishing tackle store, bait it with some attractive and odoriferous food like a chunk of freeze-dried brine shrimp or tubifex, and just wait them out? It'll take a few days at least, and it won't be pretty, but it works. :)

In your situation, i.e. big hungry predators floating around, it works better to partially cover the trap with plastic plants or other camouflage. This makes it more attractive to the little guys, and prevents the big guys from hanging around the trap and staring hungrily into it, which tends to discourage the small fish from entering.
 
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jjohnwm said:
Well, if they were typical livebearers or Rosy Reds, I'd say just dip the net in and they are so stupid they will eventually just swim in. But, we're talking about cichlids, i.e. genius-level fish, so much more challenging.

It doesn't sound as though you are in a hurry, so why not get a minnow trap at a fishing tackle store, bait it with some attractive and odoriferous food like a chunk of freeze-dried brine shrimp or tubifex, and just wait them out? It'll take a few days at least, and it won't be pretty, but it works. :)

In your situation, i.e. big hungry predators floating around, it works better to partially cover the trap with plastic plants or other camouflage. This makes it more attractive to the little guys, and prevents the big guys from hanging around the trap and staring hungrily into it, which tends to discourage the small fish from entering.
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Interesting! hadn't thought of that method.
 
I think the 2 net method is a good option. You can also chase them into a corner then tap on the glass to make them run in that typically works well for me.
 
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Standard airline tubing, and siphon them into a small container of tank water. I did this with my rainbow cichlid fry because they were wiggling down into my eco complete substrate and I couldn't do much without risk of smashing them. Worked perfectly! Plus there is no net in the water to make any of the fish panic or try to flee.
 
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Rass said:
Standard airline tubing, and siphon them into a small container of tank water. I did this with my rainbow cichlid fry because they were wiggling down into my eco complete substrate and I couldn't do much without risk of smashing them. Worked perfectly! Plus there is no net in the water to make any of the fish panic or try to flee.
Click to expand...

Her fry are already 3/4 - inch or larger. This ship has sailed.
 
jjohnwm said:
Her fry are already 3/4 - inch or larger. This ship has sailed.
Click to expand...
Oh I missed that part. Didn't read closely enough before responding. Another method I like to use for catching small fish is by using an appropriately sized divider that is easy to maneuver inside the tank, like light diffuser material, to corral the fish into one end or corner of the tank. By partitioning the tank this way you can work around tank decor and plants and not have to tear the whole tank apart. Lowering the water level is helpful also. And if the fish can fit through the light diffuser you can zip tie two pieces together that are slightly offset to effectively make the holes smaller.
 
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