Removing a large fish...
- Thread starter Freshwater Tim
- Start date
frnchjeep;3374392; said:
This is the only way I can wrangle my big catfish. At 25", my big and growing Tiger Shovelnose
is so strong that me leaning way over and trying to net her could end with me wrenching my back trying to keep her from thrashing around (many years of ice skating and working as a vet tech = an easily angered back). I just wash the towel in an dye free, fragrance free detergent. I drain the tank way down, get the towel nice and wet so it doesn't stick to her at all, throw the large towel over her and scoop her up. I set her in a large tub of water I pulled from the tank earlier and treated with a little extra Prime. This has proved to be very effect and safe for my big cats. Besides me getting completely drenched, it has always been completely uneventful, and the fish don't seem too traumatized by it. Also, they're used to my hands in the tank, and are generally so nosy the biggest problem is just to get them to go away, so it eliminates chasing fish.
at first i tried using a heavy duty plastic bag in catching my silver aro, but it was just torn, now i also drain the water and cath em with a towel by hand.
I use a big enviro friendly fishing net, its got like a rubbery netting that wont damage slime coat or scales, and nice big holes so that spikey fins cant get stuck.
I have several verryy large nets that I use, I usually turn the tank light off, remove the hood and lower the water level, then stick one net it, and use the other to coax the fish in. You have to be careful since some fish can get their fins stuck in nets, e.g. large plecos.
Never had to move a truely "monster" fish before. some large plecos where always caught by hand and carefully moved. But I've had horses a long time and take that approach with my baby monsters. my fire eels are getting hand tamed. hopefully to the point i can pick them up in the tank and move them around in it. so as they grow if i need to move them ect, I can shift them around into a container, on a towel, ect if need be to remove them. my Oscar.. LoL I'de prolly end up grabbing by the lip like a bass and hauling him out.
A large arowana is best caught in a pillow case and then transported in a round bin. I wouldn;t use a square one because the fish will be more likely to damage itself by crashing into the sides.
I have to move a 22" aligator gar this week. For that I'm going to drain the tank, leaving the fish to sit on the bottom. He will sit quite happily on the floor of the tank without any water long enough for me to pick him up and place him carefully into an ice box for transport. Trying to net or bag this fish is not an option, the fish will get hurt.
I have to move a 22" aligator gar this week. For that I'm going to drain the tank, leaving the fish to sit on the bottom. He will sit quite happily on the floor of the tank without any water long enough for me to pick him up and place him carefully into an ice box for transport. Trying to net or bag this fish is not an option, the fish will get hurt.
