How to Build a Pleco Trap
Chasing a fleeing plecostomus around the aquarium with your net can be an exercise in futility, particularly if the tank is heavily planted or decorated. Typically shy and elusive, the pleco instantly explodes into a raging one-fish wrecking crew when disturbed, leaving destruction in its panicked wake and laying waste to your carefully planned and executed decor.
Even when you finally manage to corral the critter, there's the little matter of carefully extricating spiny, prickly fins and tail from the mesh net without injuring yourself or your fish. Eliminate the hassle and stress of capturing your pet with a simple pleco trap that you can make from a repurposed plastic bottle in mere minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- Empty plastic 2-liter bottle
- Exacto knife, single-edge razor blade or strong scissors
- Canned or frozen green beans
- Algae pellets or tablets (optional)
Instructions
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1
Wash an empty plastic 2-liter bottle well with mild soap and warm water. Rinse it thoroughly and let it dry. Discard the cap.
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2
Cut the top 4 ½ inches off the bottle with an Exacto knife, single-edge razor blade or strong scissors. Set the bottom section of the bottle aside. The top portion will serve as a funnel. Look at the funnel's screw-top opening and estimate whether or not it's large enough for your pleco to pass through comfortably.
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3
Cut the neck off of the funnel and discard it if you feel that the pleco is too big to fit it. The new opening should now accommodate your fish. If not, cut a little more off of the top of the funnel.
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4
Drop a few canned or frozen green beans into the bottom section of the bottle. These catfish absolutely adore this food. You can substitute algae pellets or tablets if necessary. But if these are enjoyed by any other residents of the aquarium, your pleco may have competition for the bait.
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Invert the funnel and insert the small end into the bottom section of the bottle. Wedge it tightly into place.
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Submerge the baited pleco trap in your aquarium slowly and let it fill up with water. Place it on the bottom of the tank. Watch the trap until the wayward fish discovers the bait, enters the trap and passes into the baited section. It will take a little while for the animal to figure a way out, but you should stand by and be ready to remove the trapped pleco from the aquarium before it wishes to escape.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't grab your armored plecostomus with your bare hands. Those spines can inflict painful injuries.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bottle image by tofuwarrior from Fotolia.com
