Correct Pleco handling. (net or not.)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Use my hand on my 1' common. Just make sure that you securely grab as they can be powerful when they move, and make sure that fins are flattened. I would only be worried about hurting my fish, not about him spaying his fins and hurting me.

Are they species of pleco that can seriously hurt you?
 
meghanashley;2129219; said:
Use my hand on my 1' common. Just make sure that you securely grab as they can be powerful when they move, and make sure that fins are flattened. I would only be worried about hurting my fish, not about him spaying his fins and hurting me.

Are they species of pleco that can seriously hurt you?[/quote]


As far as I know no. but when the guy took out the new L375 I bought He was not about to touch it and I didn't know why. I have some smaller commons and a rubber. and I use my hands on them but this guy I just bought has some nasty looking spines.
Click to expand...
 
I pick them up by hand, but if your pleco is big then its a different story, try to pick them up by the side of their head, and not hold the fish with your pam :) I have a lot of small pleco ceramic cubes in my tank, usually when my hand goes in, they all pick one and hide in it, and I would just pick up the cube with the pleco that I want to get hehe
 
I make mine swim into a bag or container. It's not that difficult unless your dealing with a monster.
 
Always used a fine net for the smaller ones and hand for the bigger ones.
 
riped fins do heal but they also scar so i vote against nets..
hands work great but if yer fish thrashes and scares you theres a chance of you hurting the fish (people jump.. its what we do)...

plastic pitchers are by far the best thing IMO.. it can be a bit of a task to get them into the pitcher sometimes but theres almost no chance of either of you getting hurt
 
I have tried both net and buy hand, but some pleco are fisty and would rather just do major damage to your hands. I first get them cornered and calm with a net, possibly on a rock or buy the glass then I use neoprine gloves to handle them for the move, maybe just alittle less bulky than leather and dont put chemicals from the leather into your tank if you have to go chase them around some
 
I have always used a plastic pitcher after getting stuck by my old 8" common. They work great and I think the pleco handles it better. But if you are talking about a huge guy your going to need a damn big pitcher. lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom