how do YOU catch the little bugger

[BettaMomma]

I am just curious if you all have the same problem catching your little brats when it comes to 100% water changin time.

I do have to say - it's much easier to scoop em up when they're sick, I've learned that.

 

[wuvmybetta]

I reach in and grab them with my hand. They know who's boss...

 

[veen]

I am just curious if you all have the same problem catching your little brats when it comes to 100% water changin time.

I do have to say - it's much easier to scoop em up when they're sick, I've learned that.

my vt's aren't any easier to catch right now in their mangled state than they were before. thank god their tank is small or it would be impossible to catch them.

my ct is very hard to catch even though he's only in a 3 gal. i basically have to trap him next to the heater.

 

[BettaMomma]

wuv, You do?
LOL

I go after them with a plastic solo cup.
I end up emptying out about 80% of the water and then park the cup in the gravel so they can swim into it on their own. BUT they've gotten wise to my tricks. they swim AROUND the cup now, rather than INTO it like they did.

It's become about a 20 minute process just to get them outta the darn tank.
uugh

 

[wuvmybetta]

wuv, You do?
LOL

Yes, I don't have the time to fumble around with them and let them be bratty. I just grab and put them in a small waiting cup of clean water,wash out the tank,fill it and pour them back in. Also,it's less awkward and stressful than chasing them with an object.

With my smaller containers,I just pour the container over a bucket with my hand waiting beneath,then I catch the fish in my hand,put him in the 'waiting cup',refill,pour back...etc. It's a time saver You'd be surprised at what they can get used to.

Grab and go

 

[Raechal]

My little female is easy to catch since she is barely an inch and my male is sick, so he is easy to catch as well. I either scoop them up with a cup or carefully use the net.

 

[Chrissy]

So far I haven't had to do a 100% water change (I love having a filter ) But I do have a net and a cup that I could use. With my old betta, I think I used a net and could just corner him. But they are quick little guys.

I would be scared to pick him up with my hands! I'd probably wind up dropping him!

 

[littlefishie]

I do the exact same thing as wuvmybetta.

Nets just annoy me, it's too easy to hurt the fish, so I corner them and scoop 'em out into a waiting cup really quickly.

 

[tekknocolor]

I have a technique that I've used since I've started the hobby. I've conditioned my fish to go into the net when placed in the tank. I started off with placing bloodworms into the net and lowering it into the tank. This has allowed them to become comfortable with the net and get food - they had to be a pioneer if they wanted food... which of course they did. I did this for several feedings for several weeks. Slowly I decreased the amount of food that I placed in the net til there was just a net in the tank. Now I place a net in the tank and have trouble because they all want in the net... Then place in a cup.

 

[lovebuzz]

I never have that problem, I've got mad skillZZZ with my net B) B)

 

[bkk_group]

well, i use my "precha-of-plakatthai.com" signed thai betta scoop of course
actually, when i visited him he mentioned that the scoop was very rare and of finer quality than most, i can tell for sure.
sometimes though, depending on accessibility, i will use the plastic cup technique instead.

 

[Merlins_momma]

I dangle the "famous" it has to be red... tooth pick for feeding blood worms to them above the water line...other hand holds the cup...then scoop! MM

 

[cutechic]

I usually use a net, but I recently tried using my hands and it seemed to work much better.

 

[Merlins_momma]

do you put stress coat or something on your hands? MM

 

[cutechic]

Nope, I just make sure they don't have soap or lotion residue on them.