Help - Trigger Stuck

[4Fish]

I need help. Some how my 5 inch trigger go into on of my overflow (220 gallon). I suspect he tried jumping out of the tank and thankfully landed in the overflow. I cannot take the return out as the tank is built into a wall. Believe it or not, I tried fishing him out with a size 12 fishing hook (I filed down the barb). I almost hooked him but he felt the hook. Smart fish. Now he will not go after the food. I will try again but any suggestions.

 

[marrone]

Can you get a net in there? If so you can try using a couple of nets and pull him up until you can grab him with you hand. Also try using a pair of tongs, grab him, and then pull him up until you can grab him by hand. It may help if one person try and pull him up, either with the net or tongs, and the other grab him as he comes up. It may help too if you turn off the water and bring the water level down in the overflow, which will cut down on the area that the fish is in.

 

[4Fish]

Marrone. Great idea regarding the tongs. Although I need to be careful not to squeeze to hard. Not much room in there as I cannot remove the intake/return pipes.

 

[marrone]

Since it's a Trigger, and they have very tough skin, I wouldn't worry too much about pulling it too hard, but yes, try not to squeeze it that hard.

 

[Noel8777]

Trigger

Try draining water from tank then syphon water from return so he has barely any to move