How to Trap Aquarium Fish Without Stress

Most of the time the fish in your aquarium will be happy to just swim and be left in peace. There are times, however, when you will need to catch your fish, and when that need arises it is important to subject them to as little stress as possible. Stress can make fish susceptible to a number of serious illnesses, so reducing the stress level is important to their good health. Whether you are catching your fish to move them to a quarantine tank for disease treatment or just setting up a new aquarium, using low-stress catching methods will make the job easier.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket
  • Fishnets
  • Glass bottle
  • Stress coat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove some of the water from the aquarium before you start. This will reduce the amount of space the fish has to hide. Removing a third of the water is a good practice--you can do your regular water change after the fish has been caught and deal with your regular tank maintenance at the same time.

    • 2

      Remove as many plants and decorations as possible from the tank. Making the tank as bare as possible will make it easier to catch the fish you need, and that will in turn reduce the level of stress on your tank inhabitants.

    • 3

      Use two nets to catch your fish. One of the nets will be used to guide the fish, while the other, larger net will be waiting to make the catch. The catch net should be a dark color like dark green, brown or black. This will allow it to blend into the background so the fish will not see it when he swims toward it.

    • 4

      Place a food pellet in a small glass bottle to catch catfish, loaches and other bottom-dwelling fish. Place the bottle in the aquarium and let it sink to the bottom, then turn the tank lights off. Give your fish a few minutes to enter the trap, then remove the bottle and make sure you have the fish you need.

    • 5

      Catch large species of cichlids with your hand if you can. Cichlids, especially large ones, are often easier to catch by hand than with a net. Many cichlids will get to know their owners, and when they approach they can often be caught in this manner. Use caution when trying to catch other fish by hand, however. Some species of fish have barbs and spines on their bodies for protection, and these spines could deliver a painful sting.