catching a pleco

[Jon Nannen]

Hey all, recently added a pleco to my pond. More or less to help the filters, and snails with algae a little. Anyways, my plan is to let him grow and try to take him back when temperatures aren't suited for him, to the store I bought him at for credit there.

My question being, I haven't seen him since I put him in, and would like to know when the time comes, if there is a way to bait him or an easy way to catch him.

 

[dieselplower]

Yes, drain out most of the water.

 

[Jon Nannen]

Well, I was hoping not to go that route if possible

 

[dieselplower]

As you have found, they are very good at hiding. I do not know of any other way. Someone else may chime in with ideas....

 

[Nepen]

I tried to catch my little catfish last year.. it was hard. I had giving up until it got colder and they were slower to be able to catch them. I't s probably depend on how big's your pond and how many hiding places you got.

 

[Jon Nannen]

Pond is 1500-2500 gallons. Not many hiding places, one side is 3-4' the other about 1-2.5'.

 

[Nepen]

When You have a chance (closer to the time you want to catch) if you notice him on the shallow side, try to block him to that side. I used to use a big card board (can use about 1 hr then it get too wet to use) and block my fish's way and herd them to the smaller area to catch them. I cant do that now since my pond now have many things in it.

 

[Priscilla]

They are crafty. I have a few in pond, I see them occasionally but not often. No clue where they hang out. Sometimes I go at night with a flashlight and I can find them easier like that. I read some place they don't like light, so I guess they hide out in the day and become more active in the dark .... ?

 

[dieselplower]

That is true....