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Just looking for tips on how to clean a tank with 3 piranhas in it. Anything special I need to clean the gravel for example? Should I move them into a spare tank when cleaning or is that too stressful on them? I really don't feel like taking the chance and getting nibbled on. Thanks!

I would get some of those gloves that go all the wat up to your elbows and try that.

Should I move them into a spare tank when cleaning

no, ur alot more likely to get bit moving them from tank to tank, rather than just leaving them in.

I would get some of those gloves that go all the wat up to your elbows

unless they are made from steel mesh that wont do a bit of good against a piranha bite. my advice to would be to get some form of tank divider, keep them on one side while cleaning the other. BEWARE tho, most tank dividers u find at ur lfs will not hold back a frantic piranha 4in. or larger. i would make my own if i were u. maybe some 1/4in. plastic with some sort of decent weighting at the bottom. not fool-proof but alot more sturdy than the flimsy ones they sell at the lfs. i personally dont believe u need a tank divider but obviously u should use some caution and careful hand maneuvering while in the tank w/ piranha.

[span class="edited"][Edited by TIGER9 2004-08-06 23:51][/span]

Good idea Tiger. But i like my idea cause the colors of th gloves might scare the piranha away. Just a thought.

i like my idea cause the colors of th gloves might scare the piranha away

i get what ur saying and im not trying to say u dont know what ur talking about. but in my experience a scared piranha is a dangerous piranha. tho, piranha are always skittish when tank maintenance is going on. u dont want to present urself as a potential predator, or something else that could do harm to them. lets face it their only 2 options are to swim away or stand and fight. when u restrict their ability to flee from danger by having them in an aquarium, u leave them with the only option to lash out and hope they can drive the would be predator away. that being said cleaning a piranha tank should not be that hazardous. as long as the piranha are well aware of u before u jam ur hand in their tank, they will remain relatively calm, keeping their distance at the other end of the tank. if they do start to get a bit frantic, take ur hands out of the tank and wait a few minutes for them to settle down. i believe most people would be rather suprised how easy and safe caring for piranha can be. as long as u respect what they are capable of doing. when working on my tanks, i keep a cool head, a steady hand, and always stay aware of where and how my piranha are behaving. and in 7 years ive never been bit.

i always have my hand in my piranha tank with out problems however i cant exactly say ive never been bit tho a 3" red got my index finger when i was not payin attentiontalkin on the phone a good gash shuoldda got a few stitches but its not the fishes fault piranhas r still my favorite fish n mean r very peaceful n friendly but tiger9 is rite respect them there power n there position n ull b fine