How to Build a DIY Aquarium Trap
Fish traps easily catch fish so that you can remove them from your aquarium without stressing you or the fish. You can buy aquarium traps at pet supply stores. Better yet, build an easy do-it-yourself (DIY) aquarium trap with these simple steps.
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Things You'll Need
- 2-liter plastic soda bottle
- Scissors
- Hole puncher
- Twist ties
- Thin cord or rope
- Fish food
Instructions
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1
Cut off the top 1/3 of the soda bottle, about 4 1/2 inches from the top, into 2 pieces.
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2
Turn the smaller top part of the bottle upside down to make a funnel. Insert this section, screw-top end down, into the bottom section of the bottle. If the fish you're trying to trap is too large to fit through the screw top area, trim off the narrow end.
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3
Using a hole punch, punch at least 3 holes through each section of both portions of the bottle where they come together. Thread the twist-ties through the holes, twisting them tightly to hold the trap together.
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4
Make a handle for the trap. Punch 2 holes opposite one another in the top rim (the open end) of the trap. Cut a piece of cord or rope double the height of your aquarium in length, plus 4 inches. Double the cord, and knot the ends through the holes on each side of the trap so you have a loop handle.
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5
Add food to the trap; it should go through the funnel to the bottom of the trap. Special treat food works best. Lower the trap into the aquarium, using the cord handle. Let the end of the handle dangle over the rim of the aquarium.
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6
Check that water fills your DIY trap. If it doesn't, place some aquarium gravel into the trap to weight it down.
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7
Watch fish swim through the wide opening and then through the narrow opening to get to the food. The smaller opening makes it difficult for the fish to escape. When you have caught the fish, gently pull the rope to lift the trap out of the aquarium.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want one specific fish, you may have to reset your DIY trap to get the one you want. Undo the twist ties to let the contents of the trap out. Then attach the twist ties again and rebait the trap.
Unlike DIY traps, commercial aquarium traps are made from heavier acrylic and use a soft net funnel.
