Best way to transfer copperband butterflyfish?

[BigJohnny]

Hey Reefers,

I'm about to qt a copperband and I'm nervous about how I am going to transfer it to the main display. Normally I catch fish in qt with my hands or a square colander, but the fish is likely too big and tall for my hands and I'm worried it will hurt it's long nose on the colander (or jam it in one of the holes and get hurt that way). Not a fan of nets.

Thoughts? Experiences? Am I just being paranoid?

Thanks

 

[Leland Foley]

Guide it into a large container and lift it out of the tank in the container, pour most of the water out, then lift the fish out gently with your hand to transfer it to the tank. Don't use a net.

 

[BigJohnny]

Guide it into a large container and lift it out of the tank in the container, pour most of the water out, then lift the fish out gently with your hand to transfer it to the tank. Don't use a net.

What sort of container? Like a large tupperware bowl or something? It's only a 20g qt but I ordered a small 2-2.75" fish.

Almost every fish I've ever lifted has tried to or succesfully squirmed/splashed/jumped/darted out of my hand. I'm not sure I could just pick it up with my hand. Wrasse and other skinny fish I can easily wrap my hand around and lift out.

I think it's the best option right now though, still not confident lol

 

[Flippers4pups]

What sort of container? Like a large tupperware bowl or something? It's only a 20g qt but I ordered a small 2-2.75" fish.

Almost every fish I've ever lifted has tried to or succesfully squirmed/splashed/jumped/darted out of my hand. I'm not sure I could just pick it up with my hand. Wrasse and other skinny fish I can easily wrap my hand around and lift out.

I think it's the best option right now though, still not confident lol

Clear plastic bag. Capture in bag with water, dump water back into QT and then release into DT.

 

[BigJohnny]

Clear plastic bag. Capture in bag with water, dump water back into QT and then release into DT.

It's funny I was just considering that. Have you ever tried it?

 

[Flippers4pups]

It's funny I was just considering that. Have you ever tried it?

No I haven't. But I think it would be the safest, lest hard on fins and face.

 

[BigJohnny]

No I haven't. But I think it would be the safest, lest hard on fins and face.

I agree, although it could get stuck at the bottom of the bag as I pour out the water (shrimp have done this before but they can grip better). I cant think of a better alternative unless the fish lets me pick it up easily. My midas blenny always froze and let me do whatever i wanted in QT (into the tank, into an acclimation box, out of the acclimation box, into a bucket, into the display) I have a feeling the copperband will not be the same....

 

[Flippers4pups]

I agree, although it could get stuck at the bottom of the bag as I pour out the water (shrimp have done this before but they can grip better). I cant think of a better alternative unless the fish lets me pick it up easily. My midas blenny always froze and let me do whatever i wanted in QT (into the tank, into an acclimation box, out of the acclimation box, into a bucket, into the display) I have a feeling the copperband will not be the same....

Double post.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I agree, although it could get stuck at the bottom of the bag as I pour out the water (shrimp have done this before but they can grip better). I cant think of a better alternative unless the fish lets me pick it up easily. My midas blenny always froze and let me do whatever i wanted in QT (into the tank, into an acclimation box, out of the acclimation box, into a bucket, into the display) I have a feeling the copperband will not be the same....

Once the water is out of the bag, the fish will slide out. I wouldn't grab the fish with the bag though. Could damage fins. Just a small pocket with the fish at the bottom should work, then slide into the DT.

 

[djwasimani]

container will be good idea

 

[Flippers4pups]

container will be good idea

Could work, but @BigJohnny is concerned it could damage it's beak, thus the "bag" idea.

 

[BigJohnny]

Could work, but @BigJohnny is concerned it could damage it's beak, thus the "bag" idea.

Yea I just have this image in my head of it darting beak first at full speed into the wall of the container......what can I say, I plan for the worst and hope for the best.

 

[sanchoy]

If small in plastic bag, drain bag then plop in.

If too big in bucket/ Styrofoam then drain and plop in.

Don't make it too complicated