net stuck around fin of upside down catfish

DaisyTattoo

DaisyTattoo

AC Members
Jan 11, 2006
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Illinois
When my parents gave me my 55 gal 2 weeks ago, we had to obviously net the fish and bag them for the trip. well....when we netted the upside down catfish, his side fin grabbed the net and ripped it. We had to cut the net just to get him out. well, a part of the net was wrapped around his fin. I thought maybe he would be able to rub against something and get it off after we tried in vain to do so. Unfortunately it is still there. First off, I have the problem of catching him without the net b/c I dont want him to get stuck again. I was also told he has "barbs" on his fins that hurt if you get stuck by them. Any suggestions on how to get this tangled net off of his fin?
 
First of all, what fin is it stuck on?

I've never had this happen but, I would try to use the net to get him into a small container of some sort (tupperware or something) that's just barely bigger than him. Fill with enough water and have something ready that can cut or grab the netting. I guess something that could quickly cut it without taking too long. Whatever you do, you can't leave it on there. It probably won't fall off if it's on there good and it will most certaintly constrict the fin as he grows.

Just make sure that when you cut it, you don't cut him. I wouldn't use a knife but something more secure. If it looks like it can be pulled off, maybe a pair of blunt nosed plyers. :confused: :confused: You can grab the netting and hold and let the fish do the rest. These are just suggetions. Like I said, I've never had this happen (someone here probably has though) and it's hard to give advise without actually seeing the situation. ;)

Keep us updated though. Good luck with whatever you chose.

Jimmy
 
It is his right side fin. I call it side b/c I dont know the proper name for it. We tried catching him in tupperware last night but without the net and the fact that the tank is 55 gal made it nearly impossible to catch him. In fact we couldnt catch him. We gave up after about 45 mins of chasing him around the tank.
 
do what i do to catch troublesome fish- use a large net, hold it flat on the bottom. "herd" the fish you want with another small net into the large one. it takes a few tries but hasnt failed me. sometimes y ou even getlucky with the small net.
 
jodimartin2003 said:
It is his right side fin. I call it side b/c I dont know the proper name for it. We tried catching him in tupperware last night but without the net and the fact that the tank is 55 gal made it nearly impossible to catch him. In fact we couldnt catch him. We gave up after about 45 mins of chasing him around the tank.
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I'm not exactly sure with this species but, with most catfish, the right side fin (pectoral fin) has a barb just behind it usually as an extension of the fin itself (pretty much hidden). So, careful while working with it. I've been stabbed by catfish before while fishing and it hurts but its not the worst pain you've ever felt. :D :D

I would use a large net or some object to try to "herd" him into the tupperware container. I'd also try to use a colorless piece of tupperware. Slow movements work best...don't try to go at him fast. It'll just scare him away as I'm sure you learned. ;)

If he's large enough, when you catch him, you can try holding him behind the pectoral fins (side fins) and behind the dorsal fin (first top fin). This way if he jerks, he can't get you. Do it quickly and make sure you're hands are wet when you grab him. If you don't feel comfortable with this, like I said, it's never happened to me before but I would try to grab the netting with some object (plyers, blunt pre-school scissors) and try to cut it free or let the fish jerk while you are holding onto the netting. Sorta like removing a hook when fishing. :D

None the less, good luck with whatever method you try. I'd love to hear how it goes. Keep us posted. :D

Jimmy
 
Update

I finally caught the little bugger last night!! He was sitting inside of a ship, so i blocked all the exits but the bottom and lifted it out of the water so he had to go out the hole and into the tupperware. I get him in there and look......no net. He must have gotten it off himself somehow. Crazy. He must have got tired of his green braclet after wearing it for 2 weeks huh? Thanks for your help everyone. Now I know not to use a net on and Upside Down Catfish.
 
some nets are less prone to snagging on catfish than others. I have a net that's green, and I won't use it with my plecos because of that reason. I also have a WHITE net that has finer meshing and doesn't snag so easily. and even if it does it's easier to get off.
 
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