In most cases, aquarists find that nets are not something they need to use often. For regular maintenance like water changes, it’s generally unnecessary—and not recommended—to remove the fish from the tank. Keeping the fish in the tank during water changes helps maintain stability and reduces stress.
However, nets are particularly useful when acquiring new fish. Using a net helps you transfer the fish from the bag into the tank without mixing the bag water (which could contain harmful substances or parasites) with your tank water. This helps protect your established aquarium environment and minimizes the risk of introducing contaminants.