Net Troubles - Fish Spine Tangled

Hey guys I was putting my new catfish into my tank and while transferring him his spines on his sides got tangled in the net, I was able to cut him free and get him in the tank but he still has some of the net wrapped around his barbs, he is swimming fine and can still eat, how should I go about removing the rest of the netting without injuring his body or barbs?

 

Can you post a pic? It may be fine to just let the netting come off on its own, but if it’s really stuck on then it may be best to sedate him and use some tweezers and gently remove it.

 

It was tough to get a clear shot as he doesn’t seem too affected and is swimming all about but here they are

 

Poor thing, wel it’s good he’s not being affected by it. I’d suggest waiting a day or two and see if he gets it off himself. If he doesn’t then I’d sedate him with either oxygen or clove oil and wrap him in Ana quairumnwater paper towel. Then carefully remove the netting and hold him in the tank until he comes to. I think DIY King has a good video on sedating.

 

The store I got him at is very very knowledgeable, if he hasn’t freed himself by morning I’m thinking of taking him back in to see how they can help!

I feel bad for the little guy, I really don’t think he’s too stressed out or feeling discomfort, he seems happy as could be in his new home with all his other tank mates!

 

I would not count on him getting free of the netting on his own. It is hung on the serrations in the spine, and is more likely to move farther down the spine rather than coming off. This could only cause more damage, so I would not wait too long to try and remove it.

I found that catching spiny fish in a superfine mesh net is actually less likely to snag the spines than the normal mesh nets. However, it is better to not catch them with a net at all, but to corner them with a plastic container. They sell clear hang on boxes, and being clear makes it less likely to panic the fish, and rectangular shape makes it harder for the fish to get around it.

 

I am taking him to the aquarium store I got him at today and they are letting me exchange him for a new on and they will carefully remove the nets as well as make sure he gets back to good health!

 

How did your cat fair? I recently purchased another pictus for my group and he got caught in the net. No mater how hard we delicately tried to extract him, he still ended up with two torn fins. I took him anyways, hes in a slow moving tank to give him the best chances of survival.