moving gar from tank to tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
the lion who ate the sun

the lion who ate the sun

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Mar 11, 2014
1,237
50
51
37
georgia
Hey guys. I'm setting up a 300g tank at the moment, and was looking for some advice as to how I can move my gar from their 180 into the 300 without hurting them. I'm afraid they will thrash around and break their backs. What are some of the techniques you have used?

I'm not moving them as soon as the tank is set up and ready, I'm going to let them hit 15" first. Currently one is 13.5-14" and one is around 11".
 
My thought was to "gently chase" them into a 5g bucket and then lift it, cross the room to the 300g, and gently pour. I mean... they're going to go ballistic, right?

If you have experience moving arowana from tank to tank, I am also interested to hear your techniques, purely out of curiosity.
 
I use a large net from bass pro. I think it is a trout net. Nice quality and the entire fish can fit without bending.
 
What about the thrashing?
 
Some people dose tank water with clove oil I think? Check please, used as a paralitic, then net/pillowcase and bucket
 
I don't want to dose everything in the tank though... Or maybe I do. I'll be moving an assortment of Polypterus in that same timeframe. Can anyone confirm clove oil as a paralytic, or suggest a dose? Are there risks involved? Does it have an effect on bio filters?

The tank will be kept running. I might put marble rays in it, and grow out an arowana. Just not sure what will happen with the 180 yet, and would want to compromise a functioning system.
 
After some research, clove oil appears to be a commonly used paralytic... and is also used for euthenasia T.T

I will consider this as a last resort. Any other recommendations to be spoken of?
 
Hi

When I had to move mine, I only used a net.
if you are planning to move them around 15" They´re body will be solid enough so trashing should not be a problem.
I like the KIS method... just use a large net where they can fit and as soon as they are inside the net, pull them out of the water really quick
 
When holding the fish they will thrash like crazy. Make sure you have one hand over the eyes and head so they don't bang against anything.

Sent from my D6708 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
i have found that if I take most of the water out of the tank they are in it makes it a lot easier to net them. I had to do this last year when I had gotten a bad algae bloom from some live plants
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom