Submitted by: Paulsu(25) Log in to become a member of Paulsu's Fan Club!
Netting a fish can be a rather traumatic experience for both you and your finned friend, If the fish is not handled properly, it can get injured; and these injuries can often lead to bacterial or fungal infections.
Each fish has a protective layer of slime coating in its body. As this slime coat is constantly being renewed, some handling wont't hurt it. However, too much or wrong handling of the fish may cause it stress or injury.
Here is how you can inflict minimal stress and harm when catching your fish:
- Avoid touching a fish or putting your hands into an aquarium if you have open cuts or wounds on your hands or arms. This is to prevent you from spreading diseases to your fish, as well as keep you from contracting diseases yourself. Remember, an aquarium is a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and other micro-organisms, and there could be some nasty ones in there that could make you sick.
- Only use nets that are soft and pliable. Once a net gets too stiff or coarse, it should be thrown away. To make a net more pliable, let it sit in the aquarium water for a few seconds before using it. This can also help the fish to get used to the presence of the net and become less afraid of it.
- Green or black coloured nets are more effective than white ones, as they give the fish a false sense of security. You can use a white net to direct fish towards a black/green net, which it is more likely to swim into in search of refuge.
- Don't lash the net about the water in pursuit of the fish, as this will stress all the inhabitants in the aquarium. Emptying some water from the tank will create less space for the fish to swim about, thereby making it easier for you to catch it.
- If the fishes's fins get entangled in the net, do not panic. Place the net back into the water and allow the fish to free itself. If this doesn't work, the next best solution is to carefully cut the net with a pair of scissor, keeping well clear of the fish's fins.
- If the net has been used on a sick fish, ensure that it is properly disinfected and cleaned after used.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching a fish or reaching into an aquarium.
Certain species of fish can be more easily caught using particular techniques:
- Use a plastic bag to catch angelfish, to avoid damaging their delicate fins.
- Catch guppies by bringing the net up from beneath them. If they don't see the net coming, they won't have a chance to bolt away from it.
- use two nets to catch fast swimming bottom-dwellers like loaches and corys by herding and trapping them. Stand a large net in the bottom corner of the aquarium. Using a long-handled chopstick or other tool, herd the fish into the corner where the net is, and then drite the fishes into the net.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
