Help I Siphoned My Betta!

[TarkMalbot]

I have been using a siphon for 5 years and never once sucked a fish up.  I think it would be a major job to try and get them all out of the tank anyway and is way OTT to do every few weeks!  Just be carefull and keep the vac close to the gravel.

 

[Paradise3]

I have been using a siphon for 5 years and never once sucked a fish up.  I think it would be a major job to try and get them all out of the tank anyway and is way OTT to do every few weeks!  Just be carefull and keep the vac close to the gravel.

 
The reason it happened with my male betta is because he was in his breeding tank being set up for breeding the female in her jar so they could be prepared fully. He was scared of the siphon until he saw her, darted under it and got his head sucked up
 
The guppy was really a bit of a stupid accident. She swam past as I was starting the siphon and went up.

 

[the_lock_man]

Wow this is why I don't like water vacs because of the danger! You should've removed the fish before even starting to be on the safe side. I just take a bucket and fill it up and dump it out. (with my fish separated of course.)

 
I feel that you are stressing your fish unnecessarily by doing so, and making the whole process take far longer than it needs.
 
In my case, the only time I have ever done it was when I was too lazy to put the nozzle on the hose, and a zebra danio thought it was at Alton Towers. It survived quite happily. My nozzle thingy has a filter on it to prevent this kind of thing happening.
 
If yours doesn't then cut up an old pair of tights and attach it to the end of the hose or nozzle with an elastic band.