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I have quite the situation developing in my tank.

My Venustus is starting to get REALLY aggressive, to the point where all of my demasoni's are in hiding, and 1 has died (presumably of stress and malnutrition). The Venustus chases down anything that shows its gills. The Labs fend for themselves and are managing to grab scraps of food, the Mpanga is big enough that the Venustus doesn't bother him, but the Demasoni's are getting picked on. I can already see that one is on the verge of starvation....I need to act quickly.

I need to trade the Venustus in (sadly, as it is one beautiful specimen), but for the sake of the other fish I have to.

Problem is - I can't catch him!?!?

There are so many hiding places in my rock formations, and he's so quick!

Any tricks or secrets? I know I am going to need a larger net, but even with that, I am not sure I can catch him.

God help me if I have to dismantal my tank to catch this fish!?!?!

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

If the fish is net shy place the net in all day and the next night then in the first feeding place some of the food above and in the net. Don't try first attempt unless you are 100% sure you can lift him out first attempt other wise it will be practically impossible to try the second time. I had a SAE I had to remove from the Betta tank and naturally he went into the net for the food. Luckily I got him first try.

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Keith

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Hari.....I went to "search" on this site & typed in "how to catch a fish". One thread on it came up with several suggestions. In that thread is also another link to another thread on fish catching.

Been there..... done that!

I wish you luck!

I feel your pain.

I had catch an electric blue Johannii once, no party when there is rock caves. Small, fast and smart. I'd say if the food in the net trick doesn't work, use 2 nets, slowly try to herd him into a corner, close in very slowly and don't rush. Same as Keith said though, you need to get it first swoop or into the caves it will go.

Another: have the net in when you feed the fish.
Try and get the net under then swoop up.

The Amazon Nut...

This is how I caught my chinese algae eater. I put the net in there with food inside. When he went in the net, pulling the string brought the net with the opening to the top. The CAE only tried to swim into the sides of the net and didn't realise for a second the top was open. I lifted the net quickly to the surface and I had him.
Of course if your fish is a full grown one footer, you are going to need a bigger net.

When i try to catch a fish, although most of mine are relatively easy to catch, i try to put him in the corner, then slam the net into the glass, trapping him/her. Then, i slowly wait until it is in the back of the net, then pull it up and out super quickly! I say it is just persevereance and reflexes to beat the fish. i would also try to block his cave/caves and chase him around. Or put a net into each cave opening and use the string pull method of catching it, like Brengun.

Good Luck! THe hardest ive had to catch was a regular, 6 inch pleco. Those things are fast!

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This is great!!

Brengun, you must be a Lobster fisherman cause that trap is GREAT!!! Very creative.

Both your idea and Keith's seem as though they have the best chance of working in my situation. I have previously tried to corner the fish, or herd them, but its was just too difficult - once they clue into the net being bad news....they are in the rocks for good.

I remember once, I wanted to catch my Mpanga (earlier in my tanks days) and I took out all but 3 big rocks and STILL all 12 fish practically disappeared?!?! I Still can't figure out where they heck they went?? I just gave up and decided to keep him!

So I figure luring the Venustus into a net/trap is the best way.

Thanks everyone....great ideas - wish me luck!



72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

I have tried to avoid emptying the tank of all decor (bar the gravel) but every time I end up removing all items so I can get a clear run.

What a pain it is!

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You can take a soda bottle, cut the top off and a hole around the cap so you have a small hole big enough for the fish to fit through (usually a inch or two bigger) and invert it back in place. Throw some food in there and sink it down. Eventually the fish finds its way in but not out.

if you have 1,i use my divider,and 2 nets,i just shoo the fish(that i wanna catch)to 1 end of the tank,pop in the divider,and then i get the 2 nets,and move them around till i catch him,hope this helps,ive found this way to be 1 of the easyer ways,the fish cant runaway due to the divider being in place,thus easyer to catch..

Good luck ! * pictures fishy staring from it's cave

So did you take the plunge ?

The Amazon Nut...

It's been a mixed weekend for me.

Success in catching the Venustus this morning - I used the pellets in the net trick.

I had it in overnight, and last night I fed the fishes from the net, so they had one feeding to get comfortable with it. Then this morning, I fed lured the Ven. in with the pellets and got him first shot - no problems.

So THANK YOU for the tip!!

However, the Venustus had already done its damage - I lost 3 demasoni to starvation/stress while he was in the tank, and a 4th was dead when I got back this evening (presumably due to the stress as well) - I am just hopeful I don't loose the remaining 3 of my 7. But I wouldn't be surprised if I loose one more, as he/she seems to be too shell shocked to venture out of my driftwood enclosure.

My yellow labs are frisky and normal as ever, and the mpanga just goes about his business like nothing ever happened.

I am a little disheartened by the whole experience, as I thought I had a pretty good handle on the tank and fish combinations, and things were going remarkably well up until this week.

Once the whole situation settles down and the tank regains some normality, I will look into adding some new tank mates, but for now, I am going to just let these guys gain back some confidence (and me too!).

Thanks again all.

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.