How do I catch my fish??

[AmelieSmith]

I have a pregnant platy and she should be delivering soon. All the other fish just won't leave her alone and are really stressing her out. I have decided to move her to the birthing box (it's my decision and was the last resort) but I can't catch her! I don't want to stress her out at all but she keeps hiding!
Anyone got any tips and tricks to catch her?

 

[Goldfish4EVER]

Remove the all the other fish then except her. Also, you are like a big death trap in her eyes, so leave her alone and try to catch her once every few hours or so.

 

[connorlindeman]

I wouldn't move all the other fish. Though it may seem cruel, if you can't catch the fish just leave it in the tank. This will be the best for everything involved.

 

[AmelieSmith]

Thank you but I feel she will be harmed or die due to the others who keep biting her and not allowing her to give birth

 

[BrianK]

get a bigger net. It is easier to catch a fish in a big net than with a small one. If you catch other fish, you can take them out of the bigger net using the smaller net.

 

[Naughts]

One large black net in the corner, one colourful net. Use the coloured net to herd the fish into the corner then place the black net frame against the tank to trap the fish. Slow movements, no chasing. Once caught, slide net up to the surface to scoop fish out. As this fish is pregnant you will need to place a container under the net before it is lifted out of the water to avoid strain on its body (this can lead to aborting fry and can kill mother and/or fry).

 

[Essjay]

Those boxes are very stressful for the fish. I'm not sure which is worse - being chased by the other fish or being in a tiny box

 

[Ichthys]

Give her lots of plant thickets to hide in, which is what she wants, and they’ll probably leave her alone. Out of sight, out of mind? Those breeding boxes are just as stressful.
(To catch a fish, use two nets. Use one to guide her towards the other, then ‘swoop’ with the other).

 

[AmelieSmith]

Yes I have many plants but she wasn't pregnant when we got her and she is in a tank with a male now. It's been around 30 days since we got her and she has squared of. I just need to separate her it's the biggest chance I have of keeping her alive.

 

[Ichthys]

Fair enough. Going forward, you should always keep more females than males, so each one gets a rest. I recommend at least 3 females per male.

 

[Slaphppy7]

The easiest way to net fish is with the water level very low, like during a WC