Catching a pleco

B

bortsamson

Resident Cat herder
Aug 6, 2003
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Abbotsford, BC. Canada Eh?
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Ok, I have a very large pleco in my tank
I have started to change the tank into a planted tank, so, as you all know, plecos just arent, well, common ones anyways, just arent the fish for a planted tank
now, he is prolly.......10 inches or so, hehe, big boy
anways, I need to get him out of that tank
I have another tank to put him temporarily, but, How do I get him out of my main one?
Netting him?
trapping him some way?
any suggestions are appreciated
 
what ever you do dont try with your hands!!

spikey spikes :sad


a large net, or chasing him into a tuperware container. Just make sure it has NO soap or detergant on it.
 
You are in for quite a task with this big fella! ;) I would try to coax him into a large container placed strategically in the tank with some of his favorite snack (such as a veggie) and hope for the best. A net woulcd be too tricky IMO because of the spiked skin and his probability of getting stuck in the net because of it. Don';t use your hands, you'll most definitely get hurt if not alone but for him as well....His first defense is to stiffen up these fins and spikes and to thrash about wildly. They are very strong fish, especially at this size.

HTH! Good Luck! ;)
 
I second the don't pick him up with your hands suggestion. My dad once had to pick up my bristlenose(i was too scared to touch him at the time) and he got stab in the hand and my guy was only 4"

I would get some ABS or PVC pipe and put an end cap on one side. Then put some of the plecos fav. food in and wait untill he goes into the tube. Then plug up the other side and take him out.
 
get a thick rubber or fishermans type glove and you can catch him by hand - i use these sometimes when taking perck or sunfish off the hook and their spikes are prob sharper because they will pop up right from their dorsal fin ouch!
 
I just moved my 10" pleco into his new tank last weekend. I used a 6" net. It was too small, but it got the job done.

I wouldn't even bother to try it this way unless you are willing to take out all of the decorations. He was harder to catch than the 10" Oscar, and you sure don't want him to ram into any rocks.
 
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