Pet Your Fish

[Noddy]

My Gar allows me to pet it , but I tried it with my Oscar and my Oscar came back to me 10 seconds later and bit me hard!
He was not pleased and showed me not to try that again.
Don't do it too often or too long and it wont hurt the fish.

 

[QBert]

I was taught to catch most larger fish, especially fancy goldfish, by hand as it was supposed to be lass damaging than a net; except that I flat refused to stick my hands in the snakehead tank. The store I worked for years ago in PA had a Pacu that would press himself against your hands and get petted whether you meant to or not.

 

[Err]

My Oscars freiquently brush up against me, I figure hey, if they are doing it then it cant be hurting them that bad right? I dont try to pet them hard like a dog or anything but they will let me hold them, they will swim right up into my hand, kinda funny actully.

 

[trojan09]

i pet my red devil and he loves it! but i make sure i wash my hands with soap and water before i touch him because of the oils on your fingers. i honestly think its not that bad if you pet your fish.

 

[1974Pantera]

When I use to have my Jardini, I would pet him all the time. I would circle around my hand and seemed to enjoy it. I also hand fed him almost his entire life.

Bottom line, I don't think it bothers their slime coat.

 

[Fat Homer]

I think it depends on the type of fish whether petting it would be considered okay or not... from what i've heard in the past, you should avoid touching/petting scaleless fish such as puffers to prevent removing their slime coat...