Train fish to accept net?

blugar44 · 08/07/2015, 06:57 PM

I have an odd idea you might consider a bit hare-brained, but I was wondering if anyone had ever done anything remotely similar or might think this could be effective?

I have a fairly large 150 gallon tank (though I know that's not remotely considered large compared to some of the reef central vet's mega tanks!) and the thought of having to try to net an injured, sick, aggressive or nippy fish is giving me an aneurysm even though I know there are some other methods you can try. I was thinking it might be possible to "train" the fish to not be so skittish around the net, making it easier to scoop them out if ever the time comes.

We all know fish follow cues to let them know its feeding time, evident when they swim to the top as they see our presence in the room. What if it was possible to use the net to let them know it was feeding time?
Starting in their 6 week smaller quarantine tank, I could dip the net in the tank just before feeding time consistently and they should eventually learn that the net = feeding time, resulting in them swimming to the top and hopefully not caring too much about the net. In theory, they should get so used to the presence of the net that it should be possible to quickly scoop them up if need be.
The only thing that makes me doubt that this will work is that they might permanently associate the net with being caught from the LFS which was no doubt stressful.

What do you reckon? Could it be done if enough time was allocated?

thegrun · 08/07/2015, 07:09 PM

It doesn't take long (less than a week) to get fish accustomed to your fish net if you place their food in the net at feeding times.

m0nkie · 08/07/2015, 07:12 PM

I caught a few fish that way. spray food in front of the net and fish will chase into it.

I'm not sure if they will fall for it again.

lliieemm · 08/07/2015, 08:31 PM

I've been using a technique I came up recently. It's a bit hit or miss.

Put the net into/near a common resting place of target fish.

Let the net sit there for 15-20 mins.

Watch target fish to see if it's curious of the net.

If it happens to swim into the net, try moving slowly up and out.

If target fish isn't quite interested wait until it's swimming near the net comfortably. Now use your hands to scare target fish into net. Use patience as it'll won't work the first time. After a few attempts you might have a lucky catch.

08/07/2015, 06:57 PM	#1
blugar44 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 20	Train fish to accept net? I have an odd idea you might consider a bit hare-brained, but I was wondering if anyone had ever done anything remotely similar or might think this could be effective? I have a fairly large 150 gallon tank (though I know that's not remotely considered large compared to some of the reef central vet's mega tanks!) and the thought of having to try to net an injured, sick, aggressive or nippy fish is giving me an aneurysm even though I know there are some other methods you can try. I was thinking it might be possible to "train" the fish to not be so skittish around the net, making it easier to scoop them out if ever the time comes. We all know fish follow cues to let them know its feeding time, evident when they swim to the top as they see our presence in the room. What if it was possible to use the net to let them know it was feeding time? Starting in their 6 week smaller quarantine tank, I could dip the net in the tank just before feeding time consistently and they should eventually learn that the net = feeding time, resulting in them swimming to the top and hopefully not caring too much about the net. In theory, they should get so used to the presence of the net that it should be possible to quickly scoop them up if need be. The only thing that makes me doubt that this will work is that they might permanently associate the net with being caught from the LFS which was no doubt stressful. What do you reckon? Could it be done if enough time was allocated?

08/07/2015, 07:12 PM	#3
m0nkie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: LA Posts: 6,264	I caught a few fish that way. spray food in front of the net and fish will chase into it. I'm not sure if they will fall for it again. __________________ 560gal in the making

08/07/2015, 07:09 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	It doesn't take long (less than a week) to get fish accustomed to your fish net if you place their food in the net at feeding times.

08/07/2015, 08:31 PM	#4
lliieemm Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 20	I've been using a technique I came up recently. It's a bit hit or miss. Put the net into/near a common resting place of target fish. Let the net sit there for 15-20 mins. Watch target fish to see if it's curious of the net. If it happens to swim into the net, try moving slowly up and out. If target fish isn't quite interested wait until it's swimming near the net comfortably. Now use your hands to scare target fish into net. Use patience as it'll won't work the first time. After a few attempts you might have a lucky catch.