Lake Malawi Species • How are you catching your fish?

[jordanroda]

think about this?
trying to catch the right Demasoni & I have 18 of them.(they all look alike)
I have 2 sub-males that hang at each side of the tank corners.
no way I catch them.
like someone said, I walk up & they dive for the rocks.

[DJRansome]

I just got my tank all set up and noticed my center support is failing and it is starting to bow.. Now I got to get a new tank and do it all over again, but this time transfer all the substrate and keep the fish happy in the meantime..

Or you can replace or reinforce the center brace.

[Stumpjumper]

I just got my tank all set up and noticed my center support is failing and it is starting to bow.. Now I got to get a new tank and do it all over again, but this time transfer all the substrate and keep the fish happy in the meantime..

Or you can replace or reinforce the center brace.

I'm weighing that option, but it sounds to be a bigger pita then buying a new one..

[stefan88]

Pvc elbows work.. Have one side pressed agaisnt the glass so they get closed in then just net the entire pvc elbow when they go inside..

[RRasco]

Pvc elbows work.. Have one side pressed agaisnt the glass so they get closed in then just net the entire pvc elbow when they go inside..

What? I'd like to know more about your technique...I don't quite follow.

[stefan88]

I often have pvc elbows and cupplings in my breeder tanks..They use them as caves.. When I want to pull a holding female The chase will usually result with the fish wimming into the pvc.. There are 2 ways out so if one side is pressed agaisnt the glass then and the fish can't escape.. you just net the peice of pvc along with the fish..

[olliesshop]

It sure sounds like taking everything out of the tank and catching them during a water change is the right answer.

I've tried the nets and they just dive into the rock and plants and they've figured out the trap. So I'm planning on doing this every few months, since I have about 200 fish (including about 100 fry and small adolescents) in my 125g tank http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbKEyZBB2EY&feature=plcp. My water parameters are OK, but I really got to get a ton of them out of the tank to my LFS. I'm going to focus on the adolescents (1 1/4" to 2 1/2") and see how many I'll will get. I think about 50-75. I want to keep the adults and the fry.

Also, do you think I should put each fish in a separate bag? That's my current plan, but I'm wondering if it's OK to put a few together. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated !!!

BTW ... I have Neolamprologus Brichardi and they're quite prolific.

[S14Swap240sx]

i usually do water change, bring the water level down to reduce splashing and get away room... and just use my hand to move the fish away from rocks and into the net. and then i celebrate when it only takes 15 minutes

[live bait]

I recently used a Sponge Bob fishing rod with a very small hook to pluck a Texas cichlid from my tank. He was no worse for wear...

[olliesshop]

Thanks !!!

[Mr.Dempsey]

I recently used a Sponge Bob fishing rod with a very small hook to pluck a Texas cichlid from my tank. He was no worse for wear...

Awesome!

[iwade4fish]

I may complain about the backache, but I freaking LOVE playing in the water with a bunch of rocks. I grew up in VA with creeks and brooks all around. I surmised my cichlid addiction is my way of staying that little child.
Plastic containers with a string attached to it baited with food is a fun way to gamble an hour away.

You could have strategically shaped caves made out of anything, like 3 of them, on the floor of the tank. Then, put your regular rockwork together. Now, when you remove all but those three containers, you remove them with a large net, fish and all.
sorry, it's late, and the meds are wearing off.

[Mike_G]

I have my rocks set up so there's pretty good access on all sides and I can worry a fish out of a crack with a net- I've been trying to avoid making "caves" here lately

[olliesshop]

I have over a hundred fry in three different territories and I'm hoping I don't hurt them in the process. I plan on taking a lot of pictures before, so I can put everything back essentially like it was. Also, I plan on putting everything in plastic containers (with aquarium water), in case there are fish still hiding/trapped in them. It's probably going to take 2-4 hours, at least the first time. Then I'll have to repeat this every 4-6 months as the fish grow. I also have to coordinate this with my LFS to make sure they are ready for my hundred or so fish I'm going to bring them.

It will be a lot of work, but it will be worth it !!!

All the best to everyone ...