In this blog, I’m going to tell you how to catch fish in an aquarium. Yes, believe it or not, there’s a bit of a technique to it. Some might even say it’s an art. If you follow these simple steps, you can be catching fish like the dude at the local fish store.
A few years ago, I would chase fish around the tank with a net if I wanted to catch them. But, that didn’t work well at all, and it wasn’t good for my fish.
Catch Fish in an Aquarium Without All of the Chasing
When you chase fish around your aquarium with a net, not only are your chances of actually catching a fish pretty low, but you are also pretty much guaranteed to stress your fish out. So, don’t chase your fish around the aquarium with a net. It’s not good for your frustration levels or for your fish.
So, how then do you catch fish in an aquarium if you can’t chase them around with a net?
Well, you will need a plan, a bucket of water, a net, and some food.
1. Prepare Water for the Fish You are Catching
It goes without saying, the first step to catch fish in an aquarium will be to prepare water to place your fish in once you finally do snag it.
I suggest adding water from the tank you are removing the fish from into the bucket. Doing this will help reduce any other stress that a fish being pulled from a tank might already be feeling as the water parameters should remain fairly close in temperature, pH, etc.
2. Place the Net in the Aquarium
You want to be sure that your net is big enough for trapping your fish. However, sometimes when working in elaborately planted tanks, you might need to use a smaller net to work between your plants, driftwood, rocks, and other fish to effectively catch fish in an aquarium.
Here’s where you have to have a little patience.
Slowly, very slowly, lower your net into the tank. What you will want to do is simply place the net on the bottom of the aquarium on its edge. Make sure it’s in a strategic location. Sometimes I’ve placed nets on the other side of rocks or driftwood. You can use these types of things for trapping fish so that you can get them into your net easier. But, more on this in a minute.
Once you have lowered your net into the tank, just wait for a few minutes. Don’t move the net, just be still and let the fish get used to the net and see that it’s not a threat.
3. Add Food to the Aquarium
Next, with your other hand, add some sort of food into your fish tank a little in front of your net. The other day I used a sinking algae pellet to catch a fish in an aquarium of mine—a rainbow shark—a fast little guy.
4. Use Your Other Hand
By the time you have placed your net and food into your tank, you should have already come up with some sort of plan on how to trap your fish. Again, try using the help of ornaments, rocks, driftwood, etc.
While holding the net still in front of the food, remain calm for a moment and see how your fish responds. Sometimes they will come immediately toward the net giving you the perfect opportunity to swipe them up. That’s if you are lucky.
Most likely though, you will need to use your other hand.
While holding the net still with one hand, use your other hand to try and drive your fish towards the net. Remember, keep that net still and use your other hand to direct your fish into the net.
When the time is right, quickly swipe your fish up.
After you catch the fish, slowly and calmly place him into the bucket of water. (Don’t drop your fish into the bucket.)
If you Miss Trying to Catch Your Fish
If you miss, that’s okay, it happens. But, what you don’t want to do is majorly stress out all of the fish in the tank. So after a few tries, if you still haven’t caught your fish, give it a rest and come back later.
I’ve successfully used this little technique quite a few times. It works very well, especially once you get used to it.
How to Catch Fish in an Aquarium: A Recap
Trying to catch fish in an aquarium can be a headache, no doubt. The last thing you want to do is swish your net all around the tank frustrating yourself and stressing out your fish.
With a little patience, following the steps above—slowly placing the net and holding it in place, and using your other hand, you should be able to catch the fish in your fish tank much easier.
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