Fish stuck in overflow..

[Bthomas]

Can we get a better picture of the overflow? Do you have enough room to fill the tank to the rim without overflowing the tank? It's risky to do, I know, but can work if there's around an inch for the clown to swim out.

There's a member here @Dsnakes, that had the same problem with a clown in their overflow, but they had the removable panel. They removed the panel and closed off their drains. Filled the tank up to the rim and the clown swam out.

Here's another photo and yeah, I know, i think I would have to fill the tank to the very top to get him enough room which I don't love the idea of..
Anything else just really doesn't seem doable

I may try to net him tonight while he's asleep if he's at the top. Maybe I can get the net under him before he realizes what's happening but I kinda doubt it

 

[Flippers4pups]

Here's another photo and yeah, I know, i think I would have to fill the tank to the very top to get him enough room which I don't love the idea of..
Anything else just really doesn't seem doable

I may try to net him tonight while he's asleep if he's at the top. Maybe I can get the net under him before he realizes what's happening but I kinda doubt it

It looks doable, just have to turn off your return pump, block your drains off, restart the return pump watching the level till it's near the rim and turn it off. Also turn off your heaters, ATO......etc.

This is dependant on how much water volume you have in the sump as well to work with.

Other than that, netting him is then the only option. Once out, consider making some overflow screens to keep them out. If have a canopy, looks like you do and it's open anywhere, consider a screen for the whole tank.

Good luck and keep us posted on what happens. :)

 

[Bthomas]

Yeah it won't be doable from the sump volume I will have to make up some saltwater and fill from that and then drain it back out after..
Lots of work but it seems to be the best option.
I will definitely come up with something to cover that after this.. I didn't think clowns were jumpers lol
What would be the best way to block off the drains?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yeah it won't be doable from the sump volume I will have to make up some saltwater and fill from that and then drain it back out after..
Lots of work but it seems to be the best option.
I will definitely come up with something to cover that after this.. I didn't think clowns were jumpers lol
What would be the best way to block off the drains?

Best to cap the Durso in the box. Pvc cap from hardware store.

 

[Bthomas]

Best to cap the Durso in the box. Pvc cap from hardware store.

Hm what about second best? Trying to save myself a trip to the store in the morning.
Think a rag stuffed in the drain pipe would work? Or taping over the grate on the box?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hm what about second best? Trying to save myself a trip to the store in the morning.
Think a rag stuffed in the drain pipe would work? Or taping over the grate on the box?

Plastic bag with rubber band to keep it on the Durso end.

 

[Bthomas]

Plastic bag with rubber band to keep it on the Durso end.

This I think I can do :)

 

[Clownfish2]

I know not really an emergency but one of my clownfish has gotten into my overflow chamber somehow. Other posts I've been reading have said to pull the standpipe and let the fish fall to the sump.. Not an option in my case as the standpipe is glued to the bulkhead.
Can't maneuver a net in there with the pipes plus the chamber is too deep and he just goes to the bottom when I try anyway and then I can't reach him.

I think my only option is to raise the water level so that the fish can swim out on its own but how can I do that..

I do have a valve on that drain line but not on the other drain line so I could close off the one that he's stuck in and add water into the tank but the other overflow is still going to drain unless I have a way of keeping water out of that chamber..
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

I would make a flat sheet the size of the overflow box. Cut 2 holes in it to allow it to slide down the 2 drains to the overflow bottom. I’d attach the flat sheet with 2 fiberglass rods (driveway markers) allowing me to slide this plate up and down the drains inside the overflow box. Once the clownfish gets above the flat sheet/plate, use the 2 fiberglass rods and slide the plate and the clownfish up to the top like he is riding up on an elevator.

 

[Bthomas]

Update:
I got him out!
Blocked off the drains and raised the water level and he swam right out :)

He was so eager to be out of there that he just waited for the water level to rise and as soon as he had enough room he darted right over the top. Was kinda cute to watch it was like he knew what was happening lol

 

[Flippers4pups]

There you go! Awesome to hear!

 

[cracker]

Good Job ! Look at the cute Li'l Bugger ! Did his friend come to meet him?

 

[TheEngineer]

Fantastic!!!

 

[Bthomas]

Good Job ! Look at the cute Li'l Bugger ! Did his friend come to meet him?

Yes :) The other one hadn't left the side of that overflow the whole time. Now they're swimming all over the tank together

 

[West1]

Nice, glad they are out.

I did a diy lid with ABS plastic and a grill for the overflow teeth. Imo, it's the best mod iver ever made. Cheap and simple.

Hope this helps

 

[LadyMac]

Yay! sometimes fish are smarter than people think. I'm pretty sure he knew it was a rescue attempt.

 

[Empress]

Wait til bedtime when the lights are out. Use a flashlight and something long and thin to push him into your view. Scoop him out gently with your hands if you can't get the net in there. That's what I did with my cleaner Wrasse. Good luck.

 

[kevin_e]

Use a baster and create heavy turbulence. May get sucked down the tube.

 

[Bill_Moorman]

Please tell me you had free silly playing on the TV while doing this. Haha

Glad to see it worked out!

 

[CubanManiacJess]

What I would do is wait till late at night when the clown fish is finally “sleeping” it’s much easier to catch him like that

 

[Captain Quint]

Ok. I’d go the opposite direction. Drain most of the water from the overflow. Use a longer net and a stick to force the clown toward and eventually into the net.

+1 I've drained the area down so the fish would not be allowed to go up and down in a 'water table' of sorts. With little to no room, capture is easier. A good option with your 'down' glued in.