Author Topic: Is it okay to pet your fish? (Read 1033 times)

strawberryxfizz · « **on:** March 23, 2009, 01:28:20 PM »

I found this video on youtube and I was just wondering what everyone thought of it.


Lovable Playful 'Cuddle' Fish

ultimateOrandaLuver · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2009, 01:50:47 PM »

I use to pet mine until I learned more about their slime coat. I like to let the fish "pet me" They love giving kisses and swimming into my hands. I only make an effort to touch them if I need clues on their health, slime coating.

pruje · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2009, 02:20:06 PM »

No, it is a bad idea to pet goldfish. Their slime coat is one of their main defenses against parasites. Rubbing this off will make them more likely to get sick. It wont kill them, but it is definitely not good for them.

Kaida · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 02:47:58 PM »

Goldfish aren't a "petting" kind of pet

. Removing that all important slime coat really does leave them susceptible to all kinda of issues. Not to mention that if you forget to wash your hands before touching the fish you risk passing on a harmful bacteria directly onto the fish as you're damaging their biggest line of defense. Only handle you fish if you absolutely have to and always wash your hands and rinse them really well before putting them in the tank. I f you really want to get more personal with your fish try hand feeding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNndeAL0Y5I&feature=channel_page (The video's owner prevents external embedding)

zookey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:24:07 PM »

I don't actually pet my fish but will let them "be petted" when doing waterchanges. My hand is already in the tank and they will come up and brush against me if they want to. I think it reinforces that the hand is not a bad thing and makes catching them slightly easier when I have to. They will all come over for a quick pet during water changes, I think they are looking for food, but whatever.

Lolafish · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:35:28 PM »

Petting, loosly interpreted, is done every once in a while in my household. My fish won't sit still long enough for an actual "scratch on the head or tummy", but if my hand is in the tank during feeding time, and a fish wanders my way, I'll go for a bit of a "pat". I have some fish that hate to be touched, so I never force it. But if they want my attention, I'll give it to them.

Only on a rare occasion though.

strawberryxfizz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:50:52 PM »

Yeah my fish like to swim in my hand and "kiss it" during water changes too. I love it when they do that.

Who knew these little fish had such big personalities? (: I don't ever really pet them like on the video though, I think that is a little much.

Kaida · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2009, 06:26:00 PM »

They all have very unique personalities which is what we love about them. Unlike many species of tropical fish, who tend to pretty much keep to a more "wild" mentality, goldfish quite often become "tame" to a certain degree. That's not to say all tropicals don't develop cool personalities. Just ask Jewels about her awesome Oscars

SeaWitch · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2009, 07:00:31 PM »

That first video was of a guy that used to be in KGW, remember Liv?

I wonder if he still goes there? I can't remember his Username he had.

Kaida · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:00:43 PM »

If you're thinking of that nut bar Eric that wasn't his fish in the 1st vid. His fish's name was punch

zookey · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:52:51 AM »

Gotta admit the fish in that womans video are HUGE, but did you see poor Jack's (the moore) at :48, 3:33, 4:00, 5:24, and 5:34?? He looks so horrible with the one eye popped and the other looking like it was ready to pop at anytime! Wonder if that was caused in part by the "petting" this woman does?

strawberryxfizz · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2009, 04:07:59 PM »

Quote from: Kaida on March 23, 2009, 09:00:43 PM

If you're thinking of that nut bar Eric that wasn't his fish in the 1st vid. His fish's name was punch

oh yeah i think i have seen Punch the oranda on youttube also! Is the owner really crazy?

Kaida · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:54:54 PM »

Quote from: strawberryxfizz on March 24, 2009, 04:07:59 PM

Quote from: Kaida on March 23, 2009, 09:00:43 PM
If you're thinking of that nut bar Eric that wasn't his fish in the 1st vid. His fish's name was punch

oh yeah i think i have seen Punch the oranda on youttube also! Is the owner really crazy?

It's not really fair of me to call Punch's owner a "nut bar". Let's just call him.......special. He's got a flare for the dramatic is a nice way of saying it. You can't say that he doesn't love his fish though.

claire_uk · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2009, 11:37:45 AM »

I dont try to pet mine, and Bluey seems to be the only one that comes near my hand when it is in their space. She bumps her big wen in to my hand, and doesnt mind a quick 'scratch'!!

.

I find mine interact more when I am outside the aquarium! They will come up to the glass and dance away. Bluey especially likes my mum, she recognises her over someone else coming near the tank!

Chaaar · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2009, 12:18:29 AM »

Yikes, I'd never want to pet my fish like in that video - I wouldn't want to hurt them or irritate their slime.

I'm happy enough with them coming over for a friendly nibble if I've got my hand in the water. I like to say hello, but I want to keep them tame enough not to be scared of me. I think if I started grabbing their head and wiggling my fingers around their gills, they'd be terrified!

Not to mention I keep my nails long. Tele eyes plus nails? Noooo...

Heffie · « **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2009, 11:28:56 AM »

I don't think it's good for their slime coat so no, normally not.

Johnny Boy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2010, 05:26:50 PM »

i usually do it when i am feeding them and they are really hungry but if u do it alot you will remove the slime coat and they die. *(

Heidi · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2010, 06:46:30 AM »

I don't pet my fish and I don't think you should because of their slime coat.

Aimeekat · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2010, 11:16:24 AM »

i guess by most of posts on here my reply here wont be well recieved

. I have two fish that are just like punch. i never forced it on them but when i put my hand in tank many come for a little rub. cheeky and nibbles come and lay in my hand if i cup it and they lay there forever wanting their bellies rubbed but i dont do it for as long as he does or grab them just gently rub. they literally come running to tank when i come and cheeky pushes nibbles out of my hand because he doesnt want to wait his turn

. I try not to do the major belly rub too often even if they want it. before i ever stick my hand in tank i put my hands in almost unbearbly hot water to kill germs and scrub under nails alot and always put some slimecoat in tank after those two get the attention they want. also have given up on anything but extremely short fingernails since this started used to have beautiful nails but this is sacrifice i am willing to make. so hope not too many judge me for this but this is how its been for at least 9 months for nibbles and 7 months for cheeky.

zookey · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2010, 11:36:49 AM »

Aimeekat... don't feel bad about giving your fish the attention that they are asking you for. Yes it is not good to PET your fish, as in randomly reaching into the tank and aggressively rub your fish like you would the family dog, it can/will damage the slimecoat.... but to me it sounds more like you are gently rubbing or should I say THEY are gently rubbing against you. I don't think you would do any more damage than if they were to rub on any decor you have in your tank. One of my shyest fish came up the other day during a water change and scared the crap out of me when he gave me a quick kiss then later came back again and circled my wrist. A very new behavior for a very timid fish.... kind of odd but after that water change I feel like there is a new kind of bond now between the two of us. Like he has finally accepted me as a friend and not someone to be afraid of any longer.

I think the most of us are concerned with the way the person in the video was PETTING their fish.

April · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2011, 08:07:50 PM »

Aimee this sounds so sweet and zookey is right, if it is only a gentle touch it is probably less than when they scuff their bellies on the gravel or some decor ;) that certainly sounds like a good future video you might want to capture. Your connection to them must be so amazing.

Highway_Unicorn91 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2011, 12:06:26 AM »

I did once or twice while cleaning the tank or arranging ornaments, fish feel creepy to me!
I accidently stood on a carp when I was little creeeeeeeeeeepy!

Poll

Do you think it's okay to pet your fish? ((see video below))

Author Topic: Is it okay to pet your fish? (Read 1033 times)

pruje

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