cleaning a tank with a mean fish

[davew]

my red devil is now about 5" and in the last couple of weeks has gone completely nuts, he patrols the tank flaring at the glass and crashes into the tank if you get to close and tonight when cleaning the tank he bit me a couple of times.
he used to swim off and hide when i was cleaning but not any more ,even if i try and shoo him away he just backs up a bit and then strikes
it doesn't hurt much more of a nip but obviously it will hurt more as he grows.
what's the best way of working on the tank without getting bit, some kind of divider or maybe some kind of protective gloves or just take the hit

 

[Gruntking]

I would probably just wear a pair of gloves lol.

Would love to see a vid of him, sounds like a real glassbanger!

 

[Red Devil Horde]

Try using a net to clam him down.
My guy doesn't like the net so he'll focus on the net instead of my hand.
Sometime his A.D.D kicks in & he'll rush me.
I'll either pull my arm out, or not notice & take the head but/nip.
My guy is 2X bigger so his nip hurts more.
If he catches a sensitive spot on my fingers/hand it will draw blood.

I used to use a separator made out of eggcrate.

In the end...
Having a good eye, & quick reflexes will save you most of the time.

 

[ciocca]

Gots To LoVE RD lol!!!!!!

 

[hamfist]

I have had similar flowerhorns and midas in the past. No amount of "training" seemed to stop them wanting to bite me, and these drew blood with great regularity.

It all became less stressfull when I bought a pair of shoulder length rubber "pond gloves". The fish would still bite but they couldn't hurt me at all. i'd thoroughly recommend getting some of those gloves.

As to the recommendation that a good eye and quick reflexes will be enough, then I just don't see the point of having to remain nervous and having to stay on your guard throughout any tank maintenance procedure. Just get some gloves and you can start to enjoy it again.

 

[white15]

I've had this problem sooo many times. You can try and use a longer tube or magnet cleaner you can operate from the outside of the tank.

 

[Jimmy16]

lol... my 13" midas attacks python like crazy when i change the water... i'm glad he hasn't figured out it's the hand that's doing the water changing yet LOL

he bit me a few days ago when i tried to take him out of his tank (by hand) to measure him... how dumb of me lol

 

[caribexr2]

Arent cichlids fun.

I just take the bite if im honest, but my fish are still small, when the Dovii gets bigger I guess I may need to re-think ......

Try the net routine between you and him as that can work. Also had success with a mirror at the other side of the tank from where I as working. Sounds daft but it was a distraction and spent time flaring at the glass between nips at my arms. This was on a very angry G.T. I have tried on some other fish in the past and have had ZERO success rate lol

 

[Bigtdotcom]

my oscar always bites me when when cleaning my tank i just take it as a love bite!

 

[Poloboy]

maybe you can buy an intersectionplate, could help a lot