Aquarium Nets for Beginners

Quick Answer

An aquarium net is one of the simplest but most important tools every fish keeper should own. A good net allows you to safely move fish, remove debris, catch uneaten food, and perform maintenance with minimal stress to your aquarium inhabitants.

Choosing the correct size and type of net makes catching fish easier while reducing the risk of injury.

At a Glance

Feature	Recommendation
Best Material	Soft fine mesh
Handle	Long enough to comfortably reach the bottom
Size	Match the size of your aquarium
Cleaning	Rinse after every use
Replacement	Replace torn or damaged nets

Why Every Fish Keeper Needs a Net

An aquarium net is useful for much more than catching fish.

You’ll use one to:

Transfer fish
Remove dead leaves
Remove floating debris
Catch uneaten food
Move decorations safely
Remove dead fish if necessary
Catch escaped shrimp or snails
Assist during tank maintenance

Having several different sizes makes maintenance much easier.

Types of Aquarium Nets

Fine Mesh Nets

Fine mesh nets are the most popular choice.

Advantages:

Gentle on fins
Good for small fish
Works well with shrimp
Less chance of fish becoming tangled

These are ideal for most community aquariums.

Coarse Mesh Nets

Larger mesh allows water to pass through more quickly.

Advantages:

Less resistance in water
Good for larger fish
Easier to move quickly

Not ideal for tiny fish or shrimp.

Shrimp Nets

Shrimp nets have:

Very fine mesh
Small openings
Lightweight frames

These help prevent baby shrimp from slipping through.

Breeder Nets

Small breeding nets are useful for:

Fry
Small juveniles
Livebearers
Delicate fish

Heavy-Duty Nets

Larger aquariums may require stronger nets designed for:

Oscars
Large Plecos
Koi
Big Cichlids

These have reinforced handles and stronger frames.

Choosing the Right Size

A net should fit comfortably inside the aquarium.

Small Nets

Best for:

Bettas
Guppies
Neon Tetras
Shrimp
Small nano tanks

Medium Nets

Good for:

Community tanks
Angelfish
Gouramis
Corydoras
Mollies

Large Nets

Used for:

Large cichlids
Goldfish
Plecos
Large planted aquariums

Soft Nets Protect Fish

Soft mesh helps prevent damage to:

Fins
Scales
Eyes
Slime coat

This is especially important for:

Bettas
Angelfish
Discus
Fancy Goldfish
Long-finned Gouramis

How to Catch Fish

Instead of chasing fish around the tank:

Move slowly.
Guide the fish gently.
Corner it calmly.
Lift smoothly.
Transfer immediately.

The less time a fish spends inside the net, the better.

Two-Net Method

For fast fish, use two nets.

One net:

Blocks escape

The second net:

Guides the fish

This reduces chasing and stress.

Catching Bottom Fish

Bottom fish often hide under:

Driftwood
Rocks
Plants
Decorations

Sometimes moving one decoration is easier than chasing the fish for several minutes.

Catching Shrimp

Shrimp are surprisingly quick.

Move slowly.

Use:

Small nets
Fine mesh
Gentle movements

Avoid trapping shrimp against the glass.

Using a Fish Bag Instead

Sometimes it’s easier to:

Submerge a fish bag
Guide the fish inside
Lift the bag

This works well for:

Discus
Angelfish
Large fish

Avoid Keeping Fish in the Net

A net is only for transferring fish.

Never leave fish:

Hanging in the net
Sitting in the air
Waiting while you prepare another tank

Prepare everything before catching the fish.

Cleaning Your Net

After each use:

Rinse thoroughly
Remove plant material
Allow it to dry
Store away from chemicals

Never use:

Soap
Detergent
Household cleaners

Preventing Disease

If you own multiple aquariums, it’s best to have separate nets.

This helps prevent spreading:

Ich
Fin rot
Fungus
Parasites
Bacteria

Many experienced hobbyists color-code their nets.

Replace Damaged Nets

Replace a net if it has:

Torn mesh
Rust
Bent frame
Sharp edges
Loose handle

A damaged net can injure fish.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Buying a net that’s too small
Buying a net that’s too large
Chasing fish around the tank
Holding fish in the air too long
Using one dirty net between multiple aquariums
Using soap to clean nets
Ignoring torn mesh
Catching delicate fish too roughly

Rick’s Experience

During my years breeding tropical fish and owning FinTastik Tropical Fish, I probably used aquarium nets thousands of times. One thing I learned is that patience catches fish much faster than chasing them. Moving slowly with the right-sized soft net keeps fish calmer and greatly reduces injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size aquarium net should I buy?

Choose one that easily fits inside your aquarium while being large enough for the fish you keep.

Can I use one net for every aquarium?

You can, but separate nets help reduce the risk of spreading disease.

Why are soft nets better?

They reduce damage to fins, scales, and the slime coat.

Can aquarium nets spread disease?

Yes. Always rinse and dry nets, and ideally keep separate nets for different aquariums.

Should I remove fish during water changes?

Usually no. Fish can normally remain in the aquarium.

Can shrimp escape through nets?

Very small shrimp can pass through coarse mesh, so use a fine shrimp net.

How often should I replace my aquarium net?

Whenever the mesh tears, the frame rusts, or sharp edges develop.

Rick Recommends

Useful net supplies include:

Fine mesh community net
Shrimp net
Large fish net
Breeding net
Fish bags
Aquarium towels
Bucket for maintenance

Aquarium Equipment Guide
Aquarium Gravel Vacuums for Beginners
Aquarium Decorations for Beginners
Aquarium Filters for Beginners
Aquarium Water Changes
Fish Acclimation Guide

Final Thoughts

A quality aquarium net is inexpensive, lasts for years, and makes fishkeeping much easier. Choose a soft, well-made net that matches your aquarium size, move slowly when catching fish, and keep your net clean to help protect your fish from injury and disease.