It is difficult to ignore the fact that this topic on Shrimp net is often very overlooked and often undermentioned. Reason i say this is because most of the time hobbyist will get any net and use it for ages! I am one of them until i met a craftsman who specialize in shrimp net and have been customizing more than thousands of Shrimp net for hobbyist.
i got very intrigue to learn more about why shrimp net differs so much compare to the normal aquarium net. I was lucky to be introduced to this net craftsman earlier on. He is based in Taiwan where it is the mecca of the shrimp hobby. Learning from him i have understood the importance of how the net should be design the way it is.
- customizable length.
- No 2 hobbyist have identical setup and it is important to have your net customized to your usage so that you can use the net without having to dip your hands into the tank
- get a slightly longer than the height of your tank net. Reason being is the angle when you want to reach the far end of the tank
- Net material
- Low drag or easy to move the net around in water. The holes of the net has to be kept small but not too small because it will be difficult to maneuver the net in the water.
- The small holes prevents shrimp legs/etc from entering into the holes of the net. For example if a rostrum get stuck inside the hole of the net, the barb like structure could be difficult to dislodge.
- Net handle to be light – for ease of use
- Care of the net
- I learn it is important to keep the net dry after use, shaking it dry and hang it to drip dry. For those living in humid conditions like in Singapore at least…your net wouldn’t last very long before the net becomes soft
- when net becomes soft, it is advisable to change. This will prevent your precious shrimp to fold accidentally during the netting of shrimp.
- It is far easier and less stressful for a shrimp when the net material is still stiff allowing the shrimp to enter and exit easily.
- Net too have their expiry date and that is when it becomes soft and limp i will have it change.
That is what i have learnt so far from the craftsman in Taiwan. The YouTube video can be found here: https://bit.ly/3lVWrZZ
Here it is, the net i have been using so far and it really serve it’s purpose. Once the net is replaced by a new net, i will remove the net material and keep the remaining of the net, bend it and make it into a soil leveler. It can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dSLSnLnuJ0
could be coincidence but even Hwa from Taiwan uses this net when i browse through his pictures.
and of cause… the man in action
One hand on the number clicker and the other hand netting the shrimps. with a stiff net, it will make the netting process much easier. These Taiwanese breeders net more than 5000 shrimps in a sale order, and simply put this has certainly change my perspective of a simple net. It has weave through all your precious shrimp from tank to tank. Hope you have learn something through this post!
picture taken from https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002610781257