How to catch Spotted Raphaels?

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I've got a few spotted raphaels in my grow out tank. Problem is: I can't get them out of the driftwood. They wedge into the cracks when I lift up the canopy. There are more catfish, ie a fish trap won't work, either. The drift wood is too large to transfer into my main tank.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[jamntoast]

I don't know if this would work for your fish but when ever I'm pulling out plecos they like to stick themselves into nooks and crannies of the dw, I always just pull the piece up above the tank with the crevice pointed down, usually they let themselves out after a second or two. at least that gets them off the wood right? good luck

 

[fishnatics]

When I need to remove them from driftwood. I would tip it upside down and lift it above the water line. It'll take some time but usually they will just let go and swim out.

 

[convict360]

Yeah its a pain, best trying to submerge the wood at the top of the water and putting the lights out; when you switch it back on after an hour or two they'll be swimming about the bottom of the tank

 

[Madou]

I usually lift the DW up and down the water surface, doing so for a couple minutes usually gets all five of my cats to let go, probably figuring the water level has gone down and they're in imminent trouble xD

 

[krichardson]

If the spotteds are like most catfish in their family they are most active at night well after the lights have been off.Just capture them one night when they are out and about.It might be a good idea to raise the wood a little so they can't dart back into their hides.

 

[krichardson]

Double post.

 

[Hoplo]

With fish that hide in drift wood I just pull the wood out of the tank, turn it upside down, then repeatadly dip it in and out of the water until the fish leaves.

 

[syddakyd]

just drop in food at night and scoop em with a plastic jug

 

[HarleyK]

All good ideas.
I'll try out suspending the wood at the water level first, and see how long it takes.

Thanks!