Best way to catch a big fish

[justin guest]

The best method i´ve found for moving large fish is a sturdy plastic bag with a bit of water in it. I used to do this when moving expensive koi carp when they were really heavy. Learnt the trick from a Japanese breeder. Won´t work for all species but should be fine with oscars... and cheap.

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[krichardson]

I have moved many large fish, and some had large teeth, but all developed the strength of professional wrestlers once they saw me coming for them. I use a net.

LOL,Battle Royal in the fishroom?When I have to move a fish that might be a problem I just turn the lights off and get him while he is asleep.That way there is very minimal struggling, stress and damage to the fish.

 

[j-lor]

LOL i ment get the thick rubber ones not the plastic ones because your fish might get stuck using the plastic net.

 

[joe the fish man]

I bought a 10" emperor cichlid yesterday and the guy filled a big clear plastic bag with water in the tank and got the fish to gently swim into it, then just lift the bagout of the tank. It was impressive, no stress on the fish.

 

[andyjs]

I have moved many large fish, and some had large teeth, but all developed the strength of professional wrestlers once they saw me coming for them. I use a net.

I know what you mean. Ever try to move a 4' sturgeon? Even with two people on them, one still got away from us. It's a good thing sturgeon are basically indestructable once they get to that size.

LOL i ment get the thick rubber ones not the plastic ones because your fish might get stuck using the plastic net.

Those rubber nets are really nice, especially for fish with any sort of spines that can get stuck in a mesh or plastic net.

 

[TTTT]

I wouldn't risk picking a fish up with my bare hands. I think being dropped on the floor is more stressful then being caught in a net.

Except for guppies. My guppies were so dumb they didn't eat they're fry, so 6 guppies and 4 cories become about 20 guppies and 4 cories. I decided to use that tank for something actually interesting so I caught the guppies with my bare hand and threw them in a pitcher. Then dumped the pitcher into the turtle tank.

 

[Allan01230]

Use a large net. Don't drop the water level then try to handle him. He will freak even more and thrash like crazy. I almost killed my large fossochromis cichlid that way.

 

[uncwnells]

big net

 

[akdebs]

Yikes - don't use your trout net. Those are too rough.

In a pinch, when I moved my koi to the 300 gallon, I had the same dillema. One of the fish was way bigger than my net. I used a pasta strainer! Make sure the holes are smooth first. It worked in a pinch, but I will still be looking for a much larger net.

 

[justin guest]

Ever try to move a 4' sturgeon? Even with two people on them, one still got away from us. QUOTE]
I´ve moved a few 7 foot sturgeon and find the best way is with wet towels made into a sling

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