Construction project, Take em out or leave em in???

[shadowcat]

I'm going to be doing a major take-scape change in the next few days. My L's and syno's have outgrown my current rockwork configuration in their 75usg home and I'm pretty sure they aren't very happy. I have a plan to build new caves, re-layout the rockwork and move some plants around....big job.... Should I leave the fish in the tank and try to work around them, or would it be easier on them if I just work on one end at a time and try to leave them in their home while the construction takes place. It will likely take a few hours and I expect the water to get a little stirred up from all the moving, etc.....Fish; 4 grown Flying Foxes, 6 Torpedo Barbs, 2 L075's about 6 inches each, 1 L114 about 4 inches, 2 Syno. Brichardi about 4 inches and 1 Syno. Angelicus, about 3-4 inches. They really need this make-over!!

[MatsP]

If the fish are eventually going to live in the same tank, I see no reason to stress them more by moving them.

--
Mats

[shadowcat]

That was my thought also, but I wanted advice from more experienced catfish folks.. Seems like it would be less stressful than chasing them around the tank with a net and dumping them in something strange for a few hours. I'm prebuilding the cavework (slate) outside the tank, so it won't take too much to get it in place once the old rockwork is removed. If I only tear up one end at a time at least they'll have someplace familiar to run to at the far end while I work. Wish I had the space and $$$ for a larger tank, but for now the 75 will have to suffice. I think (hope) the new layout will be comfortable for them. The three L's have been raised together fom quite small, so they are accustomed to sharing the same tank, but the syno's are new guys.

[Richard B]

My personal preference in situations like these is to remove the fish.

based simply on the confidence you have that you are not gonna move a piece of rock & crush your fave L No or stress the fish as they try to cram into caves that arent there etc

[shadowcat]

Well, I did the tank re-scape this weekend. I did decide to leave the fish in the tank and carefully work around them, although I think they were pretty p*ssed at me. I removed all of the old rockwork and installed two new slate caves sites, then replaced about half the original rockwork on top of the new slate caves. The slate added 6 new individually sized caves and one larger one, plus the rockwork on top adds the usual assortment of cracks, crevices, nooks and crannies for additional hiding spots. Ulimately I think it will be an improvement to the prior living arrangements, which were way too cramped. I did get a good look at my fish and was pleasantly surprised at how well they looked and how much they've grown. I normally only see them after lights out and it's hard to really tell much in the dark......It did cross my mind Richard that I might squash one of my cats under the new caves, so I was very careful, although the water was pretty cloudy, so I can't be certain......I did a head count afterwards and most everybody seemed to be accounted for...but I couldn't find them ALL, which isn't that surprising considering their ability to "disappear" when they want to. I'll be adding a new canister filter and pump this week for better filtration and much increased current flow, also some new plants. By weeks end I will have an aqua clear 500 and a rena xp-3 on the tank for filtration and a mag drive 950 for lateral current flow. I'll be building a new canopy next for better lighting to accomodate the plants....lots of work, lots of fun, lots of $$$..haha

[Haavard Stoere]

Sometimes I remove fish, but more often i don`t. About the danger of crushing fish... I have crushed a few H. zebra juveniles while refurnishing (makes me feel like a real genius ), but never larger fish. In your situation would not remove the fish, but you should remove the fish if it feels right

[shadowcat]

Well, I am quite pleased with the results of the renovation, but I don't think the fish have accepted the new caves yet...maybe it's the scent of the silicone they don't like, which I s'pose will fade over time. They seem to gravitate back into the rocks, which are now on top of the slate caves. I guess they "know" the rocks, but the slate stuff is unfamiliar......silly fish, I do all that work, and they don't seem to want to move into their new housing!!...At least they HAVE new housing available, should they decide to change their living quarters......It's like making a nice comfy bed for your dog or cat...they'll ignore it and steal your favorite chair every time:)

[jerry58]

Hi shadowcat

Glad the tank renovation went ok for you and the fish give them time to get used to the new setup,don't know if worth trying is to pop some food at the back of the cave at night and see if eaten in the morning they probably go in at night when you an't there.

Hope this helps Jerry