Best Aquarium Nets: Size, Mesh and Handle Guide

Table of Contents

• Why the Right Net Matters
• Net Sizes: Matching Your Tank and Livestock
• Mesh Types: Fine, Medium and Coarse
• Handle Length: Reaching the Bottom Safely
• Net Colours: Black, Green and White
• Catching Techniques
• Alternatives to Nets
• Care and Maintenance
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why the Right Net Matters

An aquarium net seems like the simplest piece of equipment you will ever buy, yet using the wrong one can injure fish, stress shrimp and damage plants in a carefully aquascaped tank. The mesh can strip slime coats from delicate species, an undersized net forces you to chase fish repeatedly, and a handle that is too short means plunging your arm into the tank, disturbing substrate and knocking hardscape.

For aquascapers in Singapore, where tanks often contain a mix of small fish, shrimp and dense plantings, choosing the correct net saves time and protects both livestock and layout. This guide covers every factor you need to consider.

Net Sizes: Matching Your Tank and Livestock

Net size should be proportional to both your tank dimensions and the livestock you are catching. A net that is too small means multiple stressful attempts, while one that is too large cannot manoeuvre around hardscape.

Size Guide by Tank and Livestock

For most Singapore aquascapers running 60 cm or 90 cm planted tanks, a medium net is the most versatile option. Keep at least two nets: a small fine-mesh net for shrimp and fry, and a medium coarse-mesh net for fish.

Mesh Types: Fine, Medium and Coarse

The mesh determines what you can catch safely and how much water resistance the net creates when moving through the tank.

Fine Mesh

• Opening size: Less than 1 mm
• Best for: Shrimp, shrimplets, fry, tiny organisms
• Material: Typically nylon or polyester
• Drawback: High water resistance makes it slow to move through water, giving faster fish time to escape. Can also trap small plant fragments.

Medium Mesh

• Opening size: 2-4 mm
• Best for: General community fish (tetras, rasboras, guppies)
• Material: Nylon netting
• Drawback: Shrimp legs and small fry can get caught in the mesh openings, causing injury.

Coarse Mesh

• Opening size: 5+ mm
• Best for: Larger, fast-moving fish
• Material: Woven nylon or knotless netting
• Drawback: Small fish slip through. Not suitable for anything under 3 cm in body length.

Some premium nets from ADA and JBL feature ultra-soft mesh designed to minimise slime coat damage, worth the investment for delicate species like discus or small loaches.

Handle Length: Reaching the Bottom Safely

Handle length should match your tank depth so you can reach the bottom without submerging your hand past the wrist. This is important for hygiene (lotions, soaps and oils on your skin can harm livestock) and for maintaining control of the net.

Handle Length Recommendations

For most Singapore setups, 30 to 45 cm covers standard 60 cm and 90 cm tanks. Avoid telescoping handles as they tend to be wobbly, a problem when navigating around hardscape.

Net Colours: Black, Green and White

Net colour is often overlooked but makes a genuine difference in catching success.

• Black nets – The best all-round choice. Black is less visible against most backgrounds and causes less panic in fish. It also contrasts well against light-coloured fish, making it easier for you to see what you have caught.
• Green nets – Blend in with planted tanks but can make it harder to spot small green fish or shrimp in the net. A reasonable second choice.
• White nets – Highly visible to fish, causing more stress and evasion behaviour. However, white nets are useful for spotting tiny fry or clear shrimplets against the white background.

For most aquascaping scenarios, a black net is recommended. The reduced visibility means fish are less likely to bolt at the sight of the net entering the water, giving you a better chance of a clean, single-pass catch.

Catching Techniques

The Double-Net Technique

This is the most effective method for catching fast or skittish fish in a planted tank without dismantling your layout.

1. Hold one net stationary in the tank, positioned where you want to guide the fish.
2. Use the second net to gently herd the fish toward the stationary net.
3. Once the fish enters the stationary net, lift smoothly and transfer to a container of tank water.

This method dramatically reduces the time and stress involved compared to chasing fish around with a single net. It is especially valuable in aquascaped tanks where hardscape and plants create hiding spots that a single net cannot reach.

Tips for Stress-Free Catching

• Turn off bright lights and use room lighting only. Dim conditions calm fish.
• Move the net slowly and steadily. Quick, jerky movements trigger panic.
• Feed fish at one end of the tank, then net from behind while they are distracted.
• Never corner fish against the glass. Guide them into open water where the net has room to scoop.
• Keep a container of tank water ready before you start so the caught fish can be transferred immediately.

Alternatives to Nets

Clear Containers for Shrimp

Many experienced shrimp keepers in Singapore avoid nets entirely for their shrimp. Nets can damage shrimp legs, antennae and even eggs on berried females. Instead, use a clear plastic or glass container (a small cup or specimen container) and gently guide the shrimp inside.

Place the container in the tank and use a chopstick or long tweezers to nudge the shrimp toward the opening. This method is slower but virtually eliminates the risk of physical damage.

Shrimp Traps

For catching large numbers of shrimp without netting each one individually, a simple shrimp trap works well. Place a small glass container with a piece of food inside and wait. Shrimp will climb in to feed, and you can lift out the container with multiple shrimp at once. This is the preferred method when breaking down a tank or culling a colony.

Care and Maintenance

• Rinse nets in dechlorinated water after each use. Singapore’s PUB tap water contains chloramine, which can linger in mesh fibres.
• Never share nets between tanks without disinfecting first (soak in diluted potassium permanganate for 10 minutes).
• Air-dry completely between uses. Damp nets harbour bacteria and fungi.
• Replace nets when mesh develops holes or the frame bends out of shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use one net for both fish and shrimp?

It is not recommended. Fish nets typically have a medium mesh that can trap and injure shrimp legs and antennae. Keep a dedicated fine-mesh net for shrimp and a separate medium or coarse-mesh net for fish. If you can only buy one, choose a fine-mesh net and accept that catching faster fish will take a bit more patience.

What net is best for a heavily planted aquascape?

A medium-sized black net with a long, sturdy handle works best in planted tanks. The smaller frame allows you to navigate around hardscape and stems without causing damage. Pair it with the double-net technique for efficient catching. Avoid extra-large nets in planted tanks as they will uproot plants and knock stones.

How do I catch fish in a tank with lots of driftwood?

Use the feeding distraction method: drop food at one end of the tank, wait for the fish to gather, then approach slowly with the net from behind. If the fish hides in driftwood crevices, a fish trap baited with food is often easier than trying to net it directly. Patience is key. Rushing the process risks damaging both the fish and your carefully arranged hardscape.

Should I buy branded aquarium nets or generic ones?

For casual use, generic nets from local fish shops in Singapore work perfectly well and cost just a few dollars. However, if you frequently catch and move fish or keep delicate species, investing in a quality branded net from ADA, JBL or Dennerle is worthwhile. The softer mesh, stronger frame and better handle ergonomics make a noticeable difference with repeated use.

Visit Us for the Right Tools

Having the right equipment makes aquarium maintenance faster and less stressful for your livestock. At Gensou Aquascaping, we stock a range of quality aquarium tools suited to planted tanks and shrimp setups. Visit our studio at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, or explore our aquascaping services and maintenance packages. Contact us for personalised advice on equipping your setup.

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• Best Fish Nets for Aquariums: Size, Mesh and Material Compared
• Best Soft Mesh Fish Nets for Aquariums
• Best Net Breeder Boxes for Aquariums: Fry and Isolation
• Acrylic vs Glass Aquarium: Which Should You Choose?