Alright... need help getting fish out of overflow

[Kmsutows]

Unfortunately, I need help getting two fish out of my overflow. My blue spot jawfish is able to get itself out and does if my temps get too hot. A chomis got in there and I've actually been trying to fatten it up since it gets bullied by the dominant chromis and because I hate getting fish out of over flows... Today I discovered my male pictillis anthias in there as well. I have a 150gal marine land with canopy which I've had to take off before but how do I get these fish out with all the overflow piping?

Any ideas?

 

[andrewkw]

You can remove the pipes and they will either go down the holes or you can net them out of the very small amount of water. Try and get a net between the pipes. Put a small fish trap in between the pipes or wait and hope they jump back. You might want to consider putting some sort of barrier to make it harder for fish to get in since this seems to happen a lot to you. I do feel your pain I've had fish in my similar overflow. I usually take the pipes off and net them out of the bottom.

 

[Jesterrace]

I got one of these about a year ago and it has been invaluable in getting fish and other things out of my cramped corner overflow on my 90 gallon. Helped me fish out a Diamond Watchman Goby that got in there with no pipe removal required. It has a small net that is much easier to move in and around, but it's extendable 2 foot long handle gives it a very long reach. It's also great for flipping snails right side up in the display tank or fishing things of the sandbed (ie excess shells).

https://www.amazon.com/Pawfly-Small...04&sr=8-3&keywords=fish+net+extendable+handle

 

[Kmsutows]

You can remove the pipes and they will either go down the holes or you can net them out of the very small amount of water. Try and get a net between the pipes. Put a small fish trap in between the pipes or wait and hope they jump back. You might want to consider putting some sort of barrier to make it harder for fish to get in since this seems to happen a lot to you. I do feel your pain I've had fish in my similar overflow. I usually take the pipes off and net them out of the bottom.

Thanks. I dont know why I haven't tried to put a screen over them.. I have one across the back of the tank. I'm not sure I'll be able to take the pipes out the way I have them. The pictillis is pretty huge so that actually makes it harder. Perhaps draining the water though will help and can use my hand

 

[Kmsutows]

I got one of these about a year ago and it has been invaluable in getting fish and other things out of my cramped corner overflow on my 90 gallon. Helped me fish out a Diamond Watchman Goby that got in there with no pipe removal required. It has a small net that is much easier to move in and around, but it's extendable 2 foot long handle gives it a very long reach. It's also great for flipping snails right side up in the display tank or fishing things of the sandbed (ie excess shells).

https://www.amazon.com/Pawfly-Small...04&sr=8-3&keywords=fish+net+extendable+handle

Thanks, I have a tiny net with extension but it's too small. A bigger net I can get around the pipes though

 

[Bj’s Reef]

One of my clown fish got stuck in the overflow. I think she was happy to see the fish net. She let me catch her with no problem. I do believe I heard her say, Thank you kind Sr. After you get them out you may want to put some netting over the overflows.

 

[Jesterrace]

Funny, I thought clownfish were famous for saying "I want to bite you" instead.

 

[ca1ore]

I’m just impressed that you have a male pictillis. That’s an anthias that has so far eluded me.

 

[Kmsutows]

I’m just impressed that you have a male pictillis. That’s an anthias that has so far eluded me.

I went against my own rule for anthias and bought a trio I couldnt pass up. One female wouldn't eat and the male took a long time to come around. The surviving female actually started bullying the male then he came around and the pair is great. Awesome fish! The male regularly tries to get her to mate. I have a video but haven't set up a YouTube account to upload it

 

[theMeat]

With that amount of fish ending up in overflow would suspect aggression going on

Take out main drain and flush the fish out. Would have a pump connected to hose on the ready Incase the fish doesn’t get flushed.

If your drain line is glued into or stuck in bulkhead and will not come out. Instead of trying to force it unscrew the bulkhead

 

[Dom]

As if you were doing a water change, siphon water from the overflow into the sump area using a net to catch it as it comes through the hose.

 

[Kmsutows]

As if you were doing a water change, siphon water from the overflow into the sump area using a net to catch it as it comes through the hose.

I wish this would work but that would be one hefty house that may not even fit... the pictillis is a porker and about 5" long or more and chromis is probably equally tall as the pictillis at least 1.5" tall

 

[Kmsutows]

With that amount of fish ending up in overflow would suspect aggression going on

Take out main drain and flush the fish out. Would have a pump connected to hose on the ready Incase the fish doesn’t get flushed.

If your drain line is glued into or stuck in bulkhead and will not come out. Instead of trying to force it unscrew the bulkhead

As far as aggression, the anthias is definitely one of the dominant fish so he may have just gotten excited flirting with the female. The chromis on the other hand yes it got bullied by the dominant chromis.

 

[Kmsutows]

And right on que.... warm day yesterday here in NJ and today I find the blue spot jawfish in the other over flow. Here's a better pic of the other two.

 

[Lateral72]

If you haven't gotten him out yet..

Drain the overflow (siphon with a hose, don't pull the overflows) and then pull out the heater and all of the piping that you can, so you can work in there. Then just net the fish or grab it with your hands. He'll be in little or no water for a minute or two, but it's not a huge deal, just work fast.

If you're afraid of him getting stuck in an open bulkhead, stick a piece of flexible tubing in it. It doesn't actually have to fit, just needs to block a good chunk of the hole.

Once you get him out, make a cover for your overflows..

 

[blueface]

I always had luck just using my hand to catch the fish that got in my overflows.

 

[Kmsutows]

So I was able to get the jawfish and the pictillis out but the chromis was a pita!! Had to leave for Christmas party so looks like itll be in there for a bit. I thought i could reach down but cant get my arm past all the pvc