Here pretty soon (right now I'm thinking a little over 2 weeks from today) I'm going to be redecorating my 38G tropical tank; changing it from bare-bottom to planted. Among the tank's current inhabitants is a 9" Common Pleco.

The thing is, for the duration of the time that I'm redecorating the tank, I need to move the pleco to a large plastic tub. In the past, when I needed to move him I did so using a large net. However, since this definitely stresses him, and the net tends to catch a bit on his scales and fins, (plus, it won't be too much longer before he's too big for any of the aquarium nets I've found at pet stores, lol) I'd really like to find an alternative.

Any suggestions?

Can you drain the tank to a level where you could reach him easily and just scoop him up in your hands or a tupperware lunch bin/plastic bag. Forgive my ignorance if this isn't possible, I haven't yet gotten into plecs as I am too greedy saving all my space for goldies.

I'm most definitely going to be draining the water down before I even try to get him, because he's quite quick and a big splasher! He's not going to let me reach in and scoop him with my hands, though. He always puts up a huge fuss anytime I have to move him, and does his level best to evade any means of capture I've ever tried.

I've been considering the tupperware idea, but I'm not sure if I have anything that would work. (I need to check when I get home.) It would need to be square/rectangular, so that I could get it flat to the bottom and sides, and fairly large... Of course, if I don't have an appropriate container, I can just go out any buy one.

Thanks!

The best luck I've had catching a large fast fish (but not a pleco) was to get one of those large disposable gladware tubs, and hold that at the far end of the tank on its side after draining it about halfway.

Using the net closest to the size of the opening of the tub, I'd then gently "herd" the fish down toward the container by slowly moving the net toward it. Repeat this process until they swim into the tub, but don't get worried if they decide to make a break for it. Let them escape and settle down and just start over. It seemed to keep mine much calmer during the collecting process. Once I'd practiced it a few times I could generally get them within one or tries.

Once they swim in, just hold the net over the opening and gently right the tub, and keep it covered so they don't jump out while you lift them out.

You could always use a bucket as well. Cheeklemur has some great ideas.

Thanks. (It helps that I'm not admitting the 17 stupid ways I tried it before that... one of which ended up with a fish on the floor. hee hee.)

How about a big ziploc bag? You can open it in front of him and he may swim right in as he cannot see it. Youll want the water to be deep enough that the bag fills with water as well.

Thanks for all the tips, guys!

glitterfish, unfortunately, I don't think a ziplock would work. My personal experience with catching fish using bags has been dismal at best, and I've learned that this particular pleco has very good eyesight and will avoid any unfamiliar object in the water, especially if there are unusal goings-on in the tank. Thank you for the suggestion though; I may try it out with some of my other fish.

cheekylemur, I think I'm going to give your technique a try. Please wish me luck! T_T

Good luck!

The biggest container you can comfortably lift out seems to be the trick.

I have two commons that I recently had to move,because I was moving their tank into my bedroom.Let's just say that it was interesting. It was like fishing,and catching 2 Sharks on a fishing hook.There was alot of fighting and struggling,water was all over me and the floor,and when I finally got them into a big bucket ,I think that we were all exhausted. My Plec's are very fast on their fins.Tupperware/picking them up by your hands,did not work.I finally had to use two very large nets that were fine woven as they don't catch so easy on the plec's fins.One held the head,one held the tail end,and that was about it. It was kind of funny to look at,but with quick moving,no one was injured(except me) and it worked.

I'm planning to use the largest square/rectangular container I can find that will fit in the tank, lol. Ideally, I'd like to have something the width of the tank, so that it would block off an entire end and Phil (that's the pleco's name) won't have anywhere to escape to but into there.

I fully expect to get at least a little wet, no matter how low the water level is. XD

I had to move a pleco of a similar size when I removed him from my tank. I ended up just using a huge net I used a smaller net to herd him into it. I know they stress when you do this, but the container thing just seemed to risky, mine was a splasher and a jumper. I just got him in the net and moved it as quickly as possible to a bucket. They do get pretty snagged up in there, but if you just put it in the water and gently move it back a forth a little (the net that is) they seem to manage to relax their spines and get out on their own.

And btw, if you're converting your tank to planted, make sure the plants are hardy and well rooted...there's nothing big plecos love more than tearing planted tanks apart..take it from me, mine seemed to make a game out of destroying all my hard work everytime I arranged the tank

Chrissy