Oto Stuck in Net...HELP!!!

[joeshmoe]

I have no idea how to get him off. I just got 4 little otos and as I pick them up in my net to put them in the tank...one of them will not let go of the net, right at the seam on the bottom of the net. I can't tell if he is stuck or just won't let go. I left the net in the tank and he seems like he's trying to get out but he can't.

I have no clue what to do. Any suggestions?

[CoreyMac]

wash your hands, turn the net inside out, then gently run the net back and forth through the water.

[ct-death]

Reverse the net...

[joeshmoe]

The net has been inside out the whole time. I've tried shaking gently, moving the net all over the tank. He's been trying to help too by wiggling. It looks like he's stuck at his nose? Do these little guys have whiskers or something?

Forget that question...they do have little hairs on their nose and this actually does cause them to get stuck in nets.

[CoreyMac]

Have you tried to brush him off of the net with your hand? If all else fails, very carefully cut the net.

[stillaround55]

If you look really closely at them you can see what look like pointy scales on their noses. You have to look very close but they're there. It gives their noses a rough texture. That's what's most likely causing him to get hung up on the net. If he can't break free on his own, I would try moving the net back and forth gently, with your fingers, right around where he's stuck. With your small back and forth motions and his wiggling, you might be able to dislodge him. Good luck.

[joeshmoe]

ok.....he's free. I had to really pry him off, he was REALLY stuck. After I got him separated enough, I cut the net. I hope I didn't stress him too much and he makes it through the next few days. He did swim away like a bat outta hell like "gimme the freak outta here".

Thanks for the help.

[CoreyMac]

Glad he is off. I hope he does well for you.

[stillaround55]

Give him 2 weeks. If he makes it 2 weeks, he's probably good for a while.

[hitman12131976]

It's weird how 2 weeks is the magic number but that number is so true. IF they survive two weeks, they'll live a pretty long life.

[stillaround55]

Yeah, I know. Wish I had a solid reason why that's the magic number but that's what seems to work. I think it might have something to do with how long a fish can go without food. Otos that aren't too damaged from the ordeal of their capture and shipping will eat once they arrive in the LFS. I'd imagine that they would be shipped and arrive pretty quickly after capture. If they arrive in bad shape, they probably won't eat or eat too well considering the damage that's done to their organs. So, given that most fish can survive at least 10 days without eating, 2 weeks seems like it's a reasonable number.

[NeonJulie]

My original Oto has surpassed the 6 month mark, Dec 24th. I'm excited! The other two have surpassed the 5 month mark. I still worry about them every day though *lol*. For some reason, the one I got the smallest, never grew nearly the size of the other two. But after 5 months I have to assume that it's full grown, even if it's just under one inch and it's not very wide in size. It's just like 1/3 the size of the others. But it's belly's poking out so hope everything's ok there!

I want to say I think the one that did up and die on me died around week 3-4, but that's pretty close to the 2 week guess. (And I feel it was probably the medication in the tank. :/)