Trapped tetra - advice?

[PrincessFish]

Hello new friends,

       This fish keeping hobby is definitely fun!
       I have a CO2 system and I've just rescued one of my tetras (for the second time) from being trapped behind the delivery mechanism.  I have no idea why he tries to get in there?!?  Does anyone have any ideas about how to prevent this from happening?  Or will he just learn eventually?  Hmm, what kind of intelligence level do tetras have?
       Thanks.
Princess Fish

[KLKelly]

I'm not sure what the delivery system looks like.  I've had the hagen ladder in one of my tanks.  What about cutting small foam strips to fit around it (foam like the AC filter block foam). They'd be easy to clean.  It would work for the ladder.

[Adam]

I've had a guppy do that, and I don't know how long he was back there.  He was ok after I released him and hasn't been back since. 

Adam

[fishycanuck]

Sounds Darwinian - but covering intakes with netting could help.

[garnpet]

If it's the ladder you are talking about, my fish were always stuck up there.  I even lost a couple when I didn't notice them right away.  I cut a small piece of aquarium tubing, folded it in half and then jammed it in the back of the slot going up the side. 

You can sort of see it from the attached picture.  The tubing is on the lower right hand side.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[PrincessFish]

Hi everyone,

       Yes, it is the Hagen ladder type.  Thanks so much for your suggestions!  Both the foam and the tubing sound like great ideas - I'll try them!

[babblefish1960]

Be careful to not block water flow around the ladder too much, or your gas exchange will be incomplete, and wasting CO2.

[PrincessFish]

I've wondered about that BabbleFish.  I can see that this hobby just drives one to bigger and bigger tanks!  It is difficult to have a nice planted tank and yet to leave enough space at the same time!   Good excuse to continue thinking about another larger tank!   

[gonzobluefuzz]

I just siliconed some clear lexan to the bottom and sides extending them to the glass. This has kept all the curious and/or less than gifted ones out since.

Be careful to not block water flow around the ladder too much, or your gas exchange will be incomplete, and wasting CO2.

Now that I read this, I'm soon gonna drill a pile of 1/16-1/8"ish holes in the side extensions to improve the flow on the glass side. That should still keep 'em out.
I hadn't thought of that before. Thanks babblefish1960 for giving me a "DOH!!!!!!!" moment.



Cheerz,

G