Fish in Overflow

[krcraig1]

Are you kidding me? I was feeding my fish and noticed that the harlequin tusk was missing. He's too big to get lost in our 92 gallon corner tank. First thing I thought was, oh no, he jumped and landed in the overflow. Got a ladder and peeked into the overflow... and BINGO, there he was...hanging out in the overflow.

I spent 1 hour trying to get him out but to no avail. I used fish food to get him to come to the top but missed him. Such a small space to work in with all of the plumbing. I'll try again tomorrow night. How fun...

 

[slayer]

try again tonight after the lights have been completly off for 2 hours (even the room lights..ie total darkness), then all of a sudden turn on the room and tank lights. This will stun the fish (will become disorientated) and you will be able to grab him with your bare hands....you will have about 2 minutes to catch him before he regains his senses.

 

[hud3339]

slayer77;512429 wrote: try again tonight after the lights have been completly off for 2 hours (even the room lights..ie total darkness), then all of a sudden turn on the room and tank lights. This will stun the fish (will become disorientated) and you will be able to grab him with your bare hands....you will have about 2 minutes to catch him before he regains his senses.

The shock and ahhhh approach, i like it gonna remember that

 

[weaglereefer]

I know it's kinda late now, but in the future consider adding gate valves on the underside of the tank on both the drain and return. Leave them both open all the time until situations like this. You can close them, remove the drain and return plumbing, get the fish out, re-install plumbing, and open the valves again.

You could also cut a lid for the overflow out of a black clipboard.

Is the harley in a reef tank? How's he doing with inverts?


Good luck!!!

 

[krcraig1]

He is in our fish only tank, not the reef. I'm sure he would feast on the inverts!

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to try it again tonight.

 

[jennm]

Is he small enough to go down the drain if you pull the standpipe? That's one way.

If he's too big, you could still pull the standpipe and quickly reach down to grab him when he has no more water to flail around in...

Jenn

 

[krcraig1]

Got him and all is well!

Had to syphon the water out of the overflow and netted him. Thanks for the info!!

 

[hud3339]

Good to hear

 

[smoothie]

Woohoo!