Fish Catching Techniques

[Scott MacAdam]

Hey everyone,

I've got a 3inch mbuna that is holding and I'm trying to move her over to the fry tank I have set up for her. last time I moved over one of them it took me about 2 hours and I had to COMPLETELY dismantle my tank and it's pretty heavily rocked off.

I really don't want it to come to that again but she's just too quick for me to net traditionally and that being said I also don't want to stress her out too much.

Its like she knows exactly what the net is and knows how to be JUST out of reach of it. yesterday while trying to catch her the other fish literally swam right into the net multiple times.

This is my third day sitting and waiting for the perfect opportunity when I get home at night. Can someone tell me how to catch her easier or share some techniques?

 

[K_Hedin]

If I am having trouble catching one, then I will break out a second net. You can usually use the one net to get them to end up in the second net.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

Yep, I'm doing that too. Just TOO many caves. we need a fish catching device here. I've even sunk some PVC pipe and attempted to trick it into swimming into it (while hiding from the net) so I could just grab the pipe on either ends and pick it up. that hasn't worked either...

 

[K_Hedin]

you can't remove just the caves and not have it be an entire break down of the scape?

 

[Scott MacAdam]

I can post up a pic if you want to see what I'm talking about, but in short, no. lol

 

[`Peter]

Good luck but usual method is using two nets and cornering it. I can't imagine how tough it might be with so many caves as you've mentioned.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

you know what.... After 3 hellish days the frigging bottle trap trick worked. i had both arms in the tank shoulder deep trying to block off all possible other holes and it worked... I'm still a little shocked but she is FINALLY in her new tank until she drops her fry. and then I'll move them to the grow out tank with the others once they are strong enough.

Here is the tank anyway, but the problem is solved.
Thanks guys, I appreciate the quick replies

 

[XeroTolerance]

Wow I really like your tank, and congratulations on finally getting the fish out!

 

[Scott MacAdam]

Thanks a lot. I was probably more stressed out about it then the fish. lol

Last time I had one of the females drop her fry in the main tank I lost all but one fry. got about 2 in my growout tank now though. Pretty exciting stuff.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yeah that sounds cool! I don't think I have that problem in my tank. Definitively not as many hiding spots as yours.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Good thing you don't have plants!

 

[XeroTolerance]

that would have been a nightmare.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

I HAD plants. my cichlids disagreed with my semi-planted idea.... many many times... lol

I'll upload a vid of my fry I just took for my grow out tank. just fed them and I figured you guys might be interested in what I've got going here.

Thanks again for the replies. I'm uploading now... link in a min

 

[XeroTolerance]

Oh. That is never good.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

and here you go. This is the grow out tank I've got going. Shot in HD for your viewing pleasure. lol

40gal long

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOklEuc-Jm8