How to Use a Telescopic Square Shrimp Net Without Stressing Shrimp
By Castle Dawn Aquatics | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: How-to Guides
Learn a calm, step-by-step method for catching shrimp with a telescopic square net, from setting the net to releasing shrimp without injury or added stress.
Quick answer
Use a telescopic square shrimp net by extending it to a comfortable length, lowering it slowly near the substrate, and guiding shrimp into the rounded corner rather than chasing them. Move the net gently and release shrimp promptly to keep stress low.
Why a square net suits shrimp better than a round one
A square net gives you a flat edge that can sit closer to the substrate and glass, so shrimp have less room to slip underneath. The corners also create a natural collection point when you tilt the net slightly, which means fewer sudden sweeps through the tank.
Round nets can roll shrimp against curved edges during a catch. The square shape, paired with rounded edges, reduces the chance of pinning a shrimp against the net frame. That shape difference matters most in a planted or heavily scaped tank where you cannot see every shrimp.
When a net is the wrong tool
If you are moving an entire colony or tearing down a tank, a net alone will be slow and stressful for both you and the shrimp. In that case, use a dedicated shrimp trap or a siphon-safe method first, then net only the remaining individuals.
Also skip the net if a shrimp is molting or visibly soft-shelled. A net can damage a freshly molted shrimp even with careful handling. Wait until the shell hardens before attempting a catch.
Step-by-step: catching and releasing shrimp calmly
- Extend the handle before you enter the water: Set the telescopic handle to a length that lets you reach the substrate without leaning over the tank. Lock it in place and test that the net holds its shape. A handle that slips mid-catch is the most common cause of a sudden splash and a stressed shrimp.
- Turn off high flow and dim the light: Pause filters, air stones, or wavemakers that push shrimp around, and lower the light if your tank has bright LEDs. Let the water settle for a minute before you start. Shrimp are more likely to stay still when the current and light are calm.
- Lower the net slowly near the substrate: Approach from the side, not from above. Rest the flat edge of the net gently on the substrate or against the glass, then tilt it slightly so one corner becomes the lowest point. A net dropped from above creates a pressure wave that scatters shrimp before you are ready.
- Guide, don't chase: Use your free hand or a soft pipette to herd shrimp toward the net opening. Let them walk or swim into the corner rather than sweeping the net after them. If you are moving the net fast enough to make a current, you are chasing, not catching.
- Lift with the net level and the shrimp in the corner: Once a shrimp is in the rounded corner, raise the net straight up and keep it level. Do not tilt the net until the shrimp is clear of the water. Tilting too early lets shrimp slide back out or get caught between the net and the frame.
- Release promptly into the destination: Hold the net just above the water surface of the destination tank or container and let the shrimp swim out, or lower the net edge into the water and wait. Never shake the net to dislodge a shrimp. A shrimp left in a dry net for more than a few seconds is at risk of gill damage.
- Rinse and dry the net between uses: Rinse the net in dechlorinated water or let it dry completely before using it in another tank. Store it retracted to protect the mesh and the locking mechanism. A net used across tanks without rinsing can move pathogens or planaria eggs between systems.
Product facts
- Small Telescopic Square Shrimp Net: The net extends up to 60 cm and holds its shape in and out of water. The extra reach lets you work from outside the tank and keep the net steady while lifting, so shrimp are less likely to be pinched or dropped.
Small Telescopic Square Shrimp Net - Small Telescopic Square Shrimp Net: Rounded edges make it easier to catch shrimp and reduce the risk of trapping them in aquarium corners. You can guide shrimp along the glass and into the net without sharp corners digging into them during the catch.
