Re: Catching an SAE

["John T. Fitch" <JTFitch at fitchfamily_com>]

> Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2002 08:33:19 -0800
> From: "Rachel Sandage" <rachelsor at hotmail_com>
> Subject: Algae eaters: are they a good idea?
>
> I'd like to get rid of the SAE, but I can't catch them. Here's what I've
> tried:
<snip>
> The SAE seem to be able to see the net from across the room. If I do not
> have the net, they will eat from my fingers. If I have the net, they go
> hide in the plants.
>
> Any other suggestions? I'd really like them out of the tank.
>
Rachel:

First of all, congratulations on your beautiful tank.
(http://groups.msn.com/rsfish/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=90)

As for catching an SAE, I just faced the same problem a few days ago, when
I decided mine was getting too big (and too lazy) for my small tank.  So I
used a technique I've mentioned here before. I lowered one of those
brooders (basically a box made of net, open at the top) into the tank
attached to strings over the tank edge.  Inside, I put an algae wafer and
some flake food.  Then with the tank and room lights off, I waited.
Within 10 or 15 minutes, the SAE was hovering over the brooder, trying to
decide, I guess, how badly he wanted that food.  At that point, I quickly
pulled the brooder up and out with the SAE inside.

John T. Fitch
E-mail: JTFitch at FitchFamily_com
Web Site: www.fitchfamily.com/aquarium.html