petting a fish

[GRITS]

ive always wanted to be able to hand feed my fish

 

[bsplenden]

well i want them to get used to me so they don't get startled when i do water changes.

all fishes will get startled when you do water changes initially. but once they get used to an ugly hand sticking into their territory, they won't be anymore. after even more time, they will even swim pass your hand. i won't recommend you to try petting them though.

handfeeding will be ok since you won't be touching them.

 

[peanut]

You could probably pet most of them if not all of them if tame enough. It's not good for any of their slime coats though.

i agree

 

[Bill H.]

Patting fish???

 

[clare]

It may become necessary before moving specialist fish like our 26" mbu puffer.Because of the risks of puffing up in air if netted,3 months before the move I gradually got him used to me gently putting my hand under him and guiding him along.Given the damage he can inflict(did you see the pics of the hand bitten by a mbu recently)thats why I took 3 months of building trust.On the day of the move I guided him into a 48"x24" bag,lifted him into the new tank and he never flinched.Nearly broke my arm lifting him from 6ft up with the other hand on the steps though.

 

[clare]

Only other fish I touch are the polypterus which occasionally spook and jump when being cleaned or fed.Try netting them when they are wriggling across the carpet.Its an aquired skill flipping the fish into the net and wrestling with it to stop it escaping before being put back in the water.

 

[guppy]

Piranha like their lips petted, heheh.

 

[kentobizmol]

Piranha like their lips petted, heheh.

no way!!

oh, i just want to handfeed them then...