How to Remove Fish From an Aquarium to Clean

It’s time to clean the aquarium. Suddenly, the little guppy or clown fish that spent hours lazily swimming back and forth at the front of your aquarium is a torpedo with fins. An experienced aquarist can remove fish with his bare hands or use a blunt hook, but these methods come with risks and are not recommended for the hobbyist. The best all-around method to remove a fish from an aquarium for cleaning is to use a net.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small container partially filled with water from aquarium
• Net
• Towels to clean splatters or spills

Remove Fish From an Aquarium For Cleaning

1. Transfer some water from the aquarium into a small container. This will be the fish’s temporary home while the aquarium is being cleaned. Make sure there’s enough water in the container so the fish can swim freely.

2. Remove any underwater decorations in the aquarium. Fish like to hide behind, under and around decorations. When a fish knows it’s trying to be captured, it will go out of its way to hide behind anything and everything.

3. If the aquarium has a cover, remove it and put it aside.

4. Slowly dip your clean net into the water. It helps to put the net into the aquarium ahead of time so the fish can get accustomed to it.

5. Using deliberate, steady movements, capture the fish in the net. Once you have the fish inside the net, quickly bring the palm of your free hand against the top of the net to keep the fish from escaping.

6. Lift the net out of the aquarium and bring it directly over the top of the temporary container. Keep your hand over the top of the net so the fish doesn’t jump out. Remove your hand as you turn the net over and gently drop the fish into the container as close to the water as possible. If the fish gets caught in the net, gently work it free as quickly as possible to minimize its time out of water.

Tips & Warnings

• Fish that are difficult to catch during the day are sometimes easier to catch at night.
• Always wash your hands before and after you touch your net, fish or aquarium.
• If you are unable to capture the fish in the net after 3 or 4 tries, wait a few minutes then try again. If you chase the fish around for too long at a time, you could stress it and yourself.
• Avoid wild thrashing movements with the net. This will agitate the fish and make it even more difficult to remove.