catching plecos... special nets?

[henward]

i find that nets tangle with plecos barbs and spikes/spines.

what sort of net is good, fine nets or the big hole nets for fishing?

i figure the big hole nets wont tangle with their spines....

any thoughts?

i wanna avoid having a net tangle with the plecs when catching them

[Caryl]

Try lying a large glass or plastic container on its side with a feeder pellet to attract the plec in. Once it, put your hand over the end and lift container with plec inside. Easier than using nets.

[henward]

yeah, my tank is tall and i cant physically get a bag to open up wit out being held open. mmmm

[livingart]

tape bag to a piece of circular wire to hold open, poke a few holes in bottom to allow flow

catch plec and the transfer

i find the fine net best if i have to use a net

[henward]

ok, might try the bag around a coat hanger... see if it works.

if not then ill use fine net.

but yeah, bag is ideal i reckon

[livingart]

try not to let the net close around the plec

ie" keep it as tight as possible

once they start thrashing around it can be hard to remove them

[Ira]

I always just dangle them over the water and try to shake them out of the net. Then try to untangle them. Then drop the whole net and fish into the water and let them sort themselves out. Usually works fine.

[mcrudd]

I used this tupperware strainer. I bought it from plastic box for seven dollars, it worked a treat, I lay it on its side by weighing it down with some zuchini and wolla, captured three big bristlenose and almost 30 babies I have a deep tank, so I tied some fishingline to the blue handle and pulled it up quickly so they can't escape :thup: