Fish stuck in overflow..

[Eagle aquatics315]

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

My white tail dottyback got stuck in my overflow box and I have the same ones as you, I know its crazy but what i did was went to walmart and bought the very smallest hook I could find, got some fishing line and cut the barb off the hook with some pliers. I baited the hook with a small peace of krill and bought him the first attempt. Try it im telling you it works and it doesn't hurt the fish at all if the hook is barbless. Its the only option and it worked for me.

 

[WetPets]

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

Also a good prefilter. I have done something similar with sponges to also quiet the flow coming into an overflow.

 

[WetPets]

+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.

I have done this to catch have to get fish it. Works well.

 

[WetPets]

I have done this to catch have to get fish it. Works well.

Also not have

 

[WetPets]

A good trick to keep fish out if you are running glass tops is to cut a thin piece if shipping foam that fits between the overflow and glass tops. I have had great luck doing this on tanks with jawfish or small wrasse in it.

 

[RobertP]

Ha had a blenny do the same thing before I added lids. Ours was in the overflow for weeks before I found him there.
Turned off pumps and siphoned most of the water out of the overflow and the blenny practically jumped in the net.

 

[oldfishman]

I may not be able to help you get the fish out but I can you how to avoid in the future. I had a tank with the slots like you have or at least that was shown here and went to the sewing department at Kmart and bought a sheet of plastic that is used for some sort of craft. It looks like screen with small square holes. I cut a piece to size and placed it behind the slots. Never had a fish go thru again.

 

[Reefkeeper1914]

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

Thanks for posting this issue. I just discovered the exact same thing with my clown fish stuck in the overflow. But more importantly, I'm so thankful of the posts and the solution. I thought for sure my clown fish was a goner. I will be using your solution.