moving gar from tank to tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
When I need to move mine, I just simply net them, bring them to the surface and hold them with my hand in the net as I transfer them. My general method is gently place my palm on their back, wrap my pinky and thumb around their bodies and place my index finger down their back/snout. Creates sort of a body cast if you will haha, keeps them from thrashing to violently in the net and keeps their backs straight.
 
I think I will first attempt to lower the water level to a few inches, put a 5g bucket in the tank, and use a net to get the gar to migrate into the bucket. I'm really afraid of one or both of the gar breaking their backs from thrashing, so holding them in a net will probably not be the way that I go. My P. senegalus broke its back from thrashing during a tank transfer a long while ago. It recovered, but I dont think I will attempt that again with any fish.
 
I use a koi sock net, a bit expensive to by it tho. Also you can try a plastic bin, put them in there and only fill just enough water to cover them so you can carry it to the other tank.
 
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