Stuck pictus

Swimfins

Swimfins

This is as good as it gets.
Sep 24, 2004
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Montreal Quebec Canada
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I moved a couple fish to my new tank. I decided to move my pictus and forgot about the barbs. Well, my biggest problem was catching him, and I forgot about the barbs, so of course he got stuck in the net. He/she was a real gentleman/woman, however, and held still while I cut off most of the net. I transferred him to a plastic container and cut off more, but unfortunately the barb on top has a tiny piece of blue netting stuck to it.
He's swimming around fine. Just a little bit of blue net on the top spine. Should I give it another try to remove it, or leave it as is. Otherwise he seems ok.
Thanks.
 
I wonder if he might rub against or pass by something in the tank during course of swimming or moving around that might cause it to be removed on it's own.
 
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well that's what I'm thinking. There isn't much in the tank at the moment except a big driftwood and some rocks. He seems fine as of tonight. He's such a nice fish too. It amazed me that he could sense I was trying to help. I even caught him a second time in a plastic container and poked at the netting again and he didn't seem to mind. I will watch and maybe try again if it doesn't come off by itself.

I love this hobby :)
 
If it isn't bothering him I'd leave it it will fall off sooner or later.

For future reference, brine shrimp nets (the really fine mesh white ones) do a good job for me with sticky fish. They aren't 100% fool proof, but cause much less trouble than netting these fish with standard nets.
Dave
 
Thank-you. I'll have to buy a new net soon. I've learned that lesson. A small plastic cup is easier to catch him with. I cold kick myself, because I had intended to use a cup but forgot and used the net!!! I had to cut a piece of whisker too, so he looks lopsided now....poor thing.
 
I think I heard this from OG, but either way it is something I read on the boards, and it makes sense to me. Use a piece of PVC pipe with a cap on one end, essentially coax the fish into hiding in the pipe and then lift it out. dark secure, watertite and fin proof, sounds like a good system to me, although I haven't tried it yet.
dave
 
I had no trouble getting him to swim into a clear plastic container, the kind you buy fruit salad in. I think he could see through it so he figgered he could swim through it. Surprise! I wasn't thinking when I grabbed up my net, otherwise I wouldn't of used it, but it was too late when I caught him with a lucky swoop.

Thanks for the suggestions. Do you think the whisker I cut will grow back?
 
I never catch any of my fish in a net :eek: I use the net to guide the fish into a bowl (appropriate to size of fish ) I have 2 - both dark red and the fish always take refuge in them ;) he he he when will they learn?? he he he
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Do you think the whisker I cut will grow back?
Click to expand...

In most cases the whiskers will grow back, I have seen adult pictus with stubby whiskers, but have also seen them grow back on a couple of fish I owned (last time I'll ever buy a blue lobster). just keep him fed good and good water, and he should be fine. Did the net peice come off yet? Just curious.
Dave
 
Nope Dave, he's still got the lil blue piece of net on top lol. I moved him to a big tank and he's happy as a pig in you know what. :D Anyway, the way he flys around the tank, I can't see as to how long that netting will hold up. Too bad its nylon, cotton would probably rot away. He doesn't seem disabled by the loss of a half whisker, it just spoils his looks a little, but I notic he end is no longer blunt, kind of like the point is coming back. I think it will grow out. :) Thanks for asking.

Another thing I notice is that he's more visible now. In the smaller tank he hid more.
 
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