Stuck pictus

[Swimfins]

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.

 

[pl*co]

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.

 

[Swimfins]

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

 

[daveedka]

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

 

[Swimfins]

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.

 

[daveedka]

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

 

[Swimfins]

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?

 

[Aderynglas]

I never catch any of my fish in a net 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

 

[daveedka]

Thanks for the suggestions. Do you think the whisker I cut will grow back?

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

 

[Swimfins]

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. 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.