Aquarium nets
A fish net looks like the simplest item in the whole aquarium aisle, but the wrong one can genuinely stress or injure a fish — coarse mesh catches on fins and scales in a way a fine, soft net doesn't. It's a small purchase worth getting right rather than grabbing whatever's cheapest.
What's in this part of the shop
We stock a standard aquarium net for general use and a breeder-style net, which has a slightly different shape suited to gently moving fry or smaller fish without the wider sweep of a standard net. Both are sized for typical home aquariums rather than pond-scale nets.
Mesh quality is the main thing that varies between nets — a fine, soft mesh is gentler on fins and scales, while a coarser mesh can snag, particularly on fish with delicate or flowing fins like bettas or fancy goldfish.
How to use one without stressing your fish
Move the net slowly and let the fish swim into it rather than chasing them around the tank, which causes far more stress than a calm, patient approach. Guide rather than scoop where you can, using a hand or a second net to gently encourage the fish forward.
Rinse the net thoroughly between uses, especially if you keep more than one tank, since a net can carry parasites or bacteria between tanks if it isn't cleaned properly in between.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Tetra Goldfish Flakes
Complete goldfish flakes in several pack sizes, with a shared formula across the family
From£3.02
Tetra Goldfish Granules
Complete granules for goldfish, with a shared formula across both pack options
From£3.98
Tetra Prima Mini Granules
Slow-sinking granules for mid-water and bottom-feeding fish, blending herbivore and omnivore diets
£6.10
Tetra Aquasafe
A water conditioner that neutralises chlorine and heavy metals, with an added vitamin B mix
From£6.41
Tetra Pond Fish Food Variety Sticks
Complete Tetra Pond Variety Sticks in three colours, across four pack sizes
From£6.41
Tetra Koi Pond Fish Food Sticks
Complete fast-soaking Tetra Pond Koi Sticks, available in four pack sizes
From£6.41
Tetramin
Complete TetraMin flake food for ornamental fish, offered across several pack sizes
From£2.39
Tetra Temperate Flakes
Complete flakes for subtropical fish kept at 18–23°C, with vegetable ingredients
£6.99
Tetra Pond Fish Food Sticks
Complete fast-soaking Tetra Pond Sticks for pond fish, in seven pack sizes
From£4.77
Tetra Japan
Sinking dry pellets for fancy goldfish, with pack-specific label information shown clearly
From£4.56
Common questions
- What size net do I need for my tank?
- Choose a net sized to comfortably fit your fish rather than your tank — a net too small forces you to make several attempts, which stresses the fish more than one calm, well-sized scoop.
- Can I use the same net for different tanks?
- You can, but rinse and ideally disinfect it between tanks, since a shared net is a common way parasites or bacteria spread from one aquarium to another. A dedicated net per tank is safer if you keep more than one.
- Why do some nets have finer mesh than others?
- Finer mesh is gentler on fins and scales, which matters most for fish with delicate or flowing fins. A coarser mesh is more hard-wearing but can snag, so it's worth matching the net to the fish you actually keep.
- Is a breeder net different from a standard aquarium net?
- Yes, a breeder-style net tends to be shaped slightly differently to make gently handling fry or smaller fish easier, compared with the wider sweep of a standard net used for general tank maintenance. Which one you need depends on what you're actually doing in the tank.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.