Looking for suggestions on getting a fish out of the overflow box. I thought I'd ask just in case I'm overlooking the obvious. It's a Niger Trigger (didn't know they were jumpers) and he's too big (2 1/2 ") to pull the stand pipe and let him take the ride down to the wet/dry. Fish are hard enough to catch in a net without the plumbing being in the way so let's hear something creative (or simple).
stuck fish
- Thread starter kilo32
- Start date
You can shut down your return pump and then remove the stand pipe from the overflow. That way there's no where for the fish to run. Then you can just stick your arm down there and remove the fish.
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If you can remove your overflow pipe, take enough water out of the sump that you can drain your overflow box without flooding.Then try to put the net over the hole as you remove it to prevent a major hickie on the little guy.
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The last time I read about this sort of thing on here, someone suggested filling the overflow with something heavier than water, but retrievable (I don't remember the suggestion, but bioballs might work) reducing the fish's escape routes and forcing to the top where you can more easily net him.
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Filter floss! I think that's what was in the thread a couple years ago.
I've done this a couple times;
Turn off pumps.
Use tubing (vacuum/drain hose) and slowly pour RO water into overflow.
Fish will rise to avoid the fresh water.
Net fish for top of overflow.
Couple points;
pour in RO water slow but steady. You should see a vague line between salt water and fresh.
hang net in overflow first. Fish will kinda get used to it and will likely swim too close to it and you can nab him.
Turn off pumps.
Use tubing (vacuum/drain hose) and slowly pour RO water into overflow.
Fish will rise to avoid the fresh water.
Net fish for top of overflow.
Couple points;
pour in RO water slow but steady. You should see a vague line between salt water and fresh.
hang net in overflow first. Fish will kinda get used to it and will likely swim too close to it and you can nab him.
I got him out. It was actually very easy as all I did was put a long stick in to get him to swim to the top and then used a small net and got him out. He wasn't very jumpy so he didn't really try too hard to get away. Maybe he missed his tank mates and realized the error of his ways. I think a smaller fish would have been harder as it would have more swimming room. I started thinking about how to avoid this in the future short of putting a cover on the top of the overflow. If I cut a piece of egg crate the same shape as the overflow and cut two openings where the two pipes are. Then attach 2 pieces of fishing line that can stay permanently attached and lower it to the bottom. Then when a fish gets in there you use the fishing line to pull the false floor up and with it comes the fish. Now some manufacturer will grab my idea and make money off it.
{calling the patent office right now} LOL
