Techniques for Safely Catching the Fish in Your Aquarium

At some point you may need to catch your fish and move them into another aquarium. The reason may be to put them into their new home or do aquarium maintenance, or your fish may be sick and need to be put under quarantine. Fish typically get stressed during the process of being caught—so much so that it can cause illness or, even worse—a mortality. Therefore, it’s very important to have excellent fish-catching skills. Here are some tips to help you safely catch your fish when transferring them to another aquarium or holding tank, brought to you by the staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a reliable aquarium supplier.

Be Patient

Slow is better than fast for the health of your fish (we always say: move like a fish). Practice going slowly, calmly, and methodically. Also, take note of how your fish catching is working out so you can develop a better understanding each time you do so. It won’t take long before you become an expert at fish capture.

Use Good Nets

You’ll want to use the right size net for your fish. If the net is too big, you may have difficulty getting it in the right place to catch the fish. On the other hand, if the net is too tiny, you might take too long to make your catch. Either way will cause the fish to stress out. Also note that square nets are better than round nets for catching fish when they’re hiding in corners.

Consider Using Two Nets

It’s beneficial to have two nets to catch your fish: one large-sized net and another one that’s smaller. Using two nets may make it easier to guide and trap your fish, especially when they have good hiding places in the aquarium.

Techniques for Catching

The best way to catch fish is by using slow, gradual, and controlled movements with your net, then a final swift movement to scoop each one up. You’ll be less likely to startle your fish this way. It’s not a good idea to lift fish vertically out of the water as if you were flipping a pancake. The fish haven’t been completely trapped at that point, and the quicker fish may escape from the net and out through an open top. The better method is to pull the net out horizontally much like tugging on a door knob, which allows the net to gently fold around the fish, preventing escape, then pull up with the leading edge of the net against the side panel of the aquarium.

Hazards of Catching Aquarium Fish

Aquarium décor is one of the most common problems encountered in fish catching. Decorations are an attractive feature, and fish need somewhere to stay safely tucked away. However, these items create an obstacle and make it strenuous to capture the fish. Remember that prolonging the catch will increase the amount of stress the fish experience. Try removing the decorative pieces from your aquarium beforehand to prevent your fish from darting away to another hiding place. Some decorations might get in your way, so take those out first. If others still give you trouble, make a note of these for the future. Also, make sure to remove the decorations slowly to avoid stressing the fish.

If you’d like additional tips on how to properly catch your fish when transferring them, reach out to Aquatic Warehouse. We carry only the best supplies for freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Whether you need an aquarium temperature controller, a new tank, or beneficial bacteria, we’ve got you covered. Call 858-467-9297 today to speak with one of our experts.