Moving a large pleco

[James0816]

I just picked up a great deal on CL for a 55/light/stand for $50. Anyway...going to use this to replace the 46.

Now the tricky part...inside current said 46 is a very nice high fin plec. Not to mention that he's pretty big as well. ;o)

My question is...what's the best way to catch him to make the move? I will be getting a tupperware tub to house him temporary while I make the switch over. The catching part I'm sure will be no easy task.

Thx,
J.

 

[JamieB]

I would guess a large Aquarium net!

 

[kyryah]

No, not a net. Chances are his fins will get caught.

I used a plastic shoe box to move my pleco. I drained the water down and removed the decorations, and scooped him out water and all with the tub.

Kristina

 

[jpappy789]

I agree, I never use nets with plecs the spines get caught and it just becomes a mess.

Never had to move anything larger than 5-6" though. Kyryah's method works.

 

[Iceeeyyyy]

Plecos are easy to catch, just stick your hand in there get a firm hold and move to acclimation tank and there you go

 

[swinneyw]

i agree with yoji i tryed to use the net for about 30 seconds i could see if i tryed any longer i would destroy my plants it was a lot easer to just reach in and get him with my hand

 

[James0816]

Definately no net. I'm used to catching catfish (river cats that is). I wonder if you apply the same grasping technique with a plec as you would with them? And I'm sure he's not gonna like being snatched out of there.

But then again...with all the dang java moss that grew like wildfire...maybe he will be willing to go. ;o)

 

[Riiz]

I've had a couple of common plecos reach 8-9"+ and I just use plastic tubs, and corral them into it with my hand.

 

[ianab]

No nets, their spines get caught in the mesh.

A square plastic tub and hand works, or just grab them in your hands.

When you grab them, you can hold them like this. They go all stiff and stop struggling, so no one gets hurt. They hold their fins out stiff to make themselves hard to swallow.

Removing most of the water from the tank makes it earier to catch them too.

Ian

 

[Whiteroses90991]

touch your finger tips together and your thumb-tips together to make an O. Glide your hands past is face, grab him up like that, holding down his fins. The net and tub methods failed when trying to catch my 16" pleco. My dad wore fresh clean gloves and just dove in after him...I wasn't goin after him. No way. He was a beast!