Getting a big cat out of the tank

[Thor01]

Hey MFKs -
Any advice on how to properly get 19" RTC out of the 75gl. I was going to use a trout fishing net that has 1" holes. Is thisa good idea?

Please advise.

thanks
joe

 

[basslover34]

Last TIme I Moved Buster he was around that Size... I just used a cooler, lowered the water till his dorsal was out of the water put the cooler in and scooped him and some water up all at once... I moved 3 20"ers like that in 3 mins... was super fast and I never had a single problem... once inside the cooler they all settled down right away

 

[polish]

I would say the same thing, a cooler of some sort or large CLEAN container.

I have to move mine soon and this was my plan of attack, only problem is the Acrylic tank he is in has smallish openings in the top. So we'll see how that works out when trying to fit a cooler in the tank.

 

[Thor01]

Thats the problem with the 75gl. The center bracket on top divides the tank in half so theres not alot of room to manuever a container

 

[Zoodiver]

Use a rubberized net with good sized holes in the mesh. Nothing cloth or fabric, they get stuck too easy in them.

And be very mindful of the pectoral spines.

A large red tail kicked back when we were moving one a few yeras back. Put the pec spine through my 5mm wetsuit and into my right forearm just shy of my elbow. The twisting of the fighting catfish ended up doing some major muscle/ligament damage.

 

[oscar n redtail cat]

all the water out till about 3" of water fill a poly box or cooler and wet a towle and grab him in that and get him out but these fish are stuppedly strong and will put up a fight trust lol i did it with my rtxtsn hybrid that was 18" long he was a beast lol

 

[Thor01]

Believe me oscar I know. Im 6ft. 210lbs and ive grabbed in him in the tank on many occasions but when he wants to let go I can feel the strength. I like the towel idea. I don't want to hurt him.

 

[basslover34]

What I also did once years ago with a Bullhead was that I used a thick garbage bag...scooped up some water in it (KNOWING that the bag was getting trashed) we guided it in and then pulled it out and into a barrel that we used to move it with... needless to say the bage ended up with some whole in it but there was no damage to the fish which is always the most important part

 

[Thor01]

OK, thanks for all the options!

I'll let you guys know how it went on monday

thanks

 

[oscar n redtail cat]

basslover the water and catfish will way a load do u think the bag will hold it like id go with what i sed just cuz tilkinmar (something like that) he moved his 44" and 42" rtcs with a large net and quilt cover i thik it was that how i moved my 17" rtcxtsn thats the easyes way i would say mate but its up 2 u