Catching fish

[karen99]

The aggressive fish in my new tank is what seems to be a male kenyi.
He is nippy with most of the fish. None of the others seem especially aggressive.
Anyway, he has to go. But how do you remove fish from a tank without removing all the decorations and draining the tank down? I've tried turning the lights off and netting him before he adjusts, I've tried netting him when I first turn lights on, I've tried trapping him... nothing works. I've caught some of my other fish in the trap (baited with spirulina wafers), but not the kenyi.
Any ideas for getting this aggressive one out?

 

[wobble]

I would suggest removing the rocks. It actually takes less time to remove the rocks and catch the fish than it does to keep chasing them in and out of rocks.

You don't have to drain any water to do this. Use a large net. It's amazing how much this helps. Also, if you have someone who could help you out, it's easier. Have them chase the fish to your side of the tank with their hands. Then, when the fish gets near the net against the glass, scoop in an upward motion. That seems to be what works best for me.

Don't give up, they will eventually become tired and start moving much slower.

Good luck!

 

[liv2padl]

wait until about two hours or so after the tank has been dark. (or go at it in the early morning before it's light enough to awaken the fish.) go to the tank with a flashlight. shine it around and find the target. he's asleep on the bottom of the tank of among the rocks. you'll have about 30 seconds to net him before you startle him awake. congratulations ... you just caught your kenyii.

 

[Rowangel]

wait until about two hours or so after the tank has been dark. (or go at it in the early morning before it's light enough to awaken the fish.) go to the tank with a flashlight. shine it around and find the target.

This is how I catch all my fish now, works amazingly well. Only method that I use in my planted tanks because there is no way I will willingly rip up all my plants to catch one fish!

 

[karen99]

Thanks for the advice. I finally managed to catch him. He was hiding from the net, but came out as soon as he saw the submissive kenyi venture out to eat.
As soon as he was out, the submissive one came out and started swimming all over the tank, darting up and down the whole height of the tank. Really seemed happy to have his bully out of there.

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

The bully is out, but likely the sub-dominant bully will take his place. You will likely run into this problem again in the near future, due to the aggressive nature of the fish you have. Unless your fine with having to remove fish as soon as the aggression starts, then I would reccommend maybe trading in at least the auratus and kenyi for some more docile mbuna species.

-Diana