Do you touch your fish?

Question

I've read some people write in various places on the net how they put their fingers in the tank and touch and/or feed the fish. I was always under the impression that you're not supposed to touch fish. I have a fishtank but I've never touched the fish (Dalmation Molly, Australian Rainbow, Algae Eater, Gourami, African Dwarf Frog, and a Guppy.) Are you not supposed to touch them, or are you allowed to? And I don't think the fish I listed have teeth...can they do anything to you if you put your fingers in there? And do you touch your fish?

What about Cichlids? I've read a LOT of people saying that they feed them by hand.

Answer 1

my fish turn upside down full of air all the time, i get em out give their belly a rub and they fart..........makes for a great party trick

Answer 2

It is advisable to avoid touching most fish species, although it is all right with some such as catfish, who are referred to as 'scaleless' fish. As for feeding fish by hand, how else would you do it? If you mean letting them eat out of your hand, that is fine as long as your hands are clean and have no soap residue or anything like lotion on them. Of course, some fish can give a nasty bite, so use common sense. Most cichlids are okay, though- I let my yellow labs (mbuna cichlids) eat out of my hand. Their little teeth nip a little, but it rather tickles more than anything. Some, though, like convict cichlids, will bite and draw blood if they feel your hand is an invasion, especially if they have eggs or fry. And of course, wash your hands after they have been in your tank.
Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I see no harm as long as you wash your palms devoid of cleansing soap in the past you touch them. I touch my fish for all time(extraordinarily my bettas) and that i've got not had a fish die for extra effective than 6 months now

Answer 4

Ha!! If only my fish would quite touching me! The jerk jumps out of the water ever time I open the lid. He'll bite my fingers the food container whatever he can get. He's an oscar so no teeth and I feed him constantly so he's not starving.

Answer 5

I learned this from fishing. Lively bait is very important and if you put your hands into the livewell aquarium whatever the oils on your skin are actually harmful to the fish and can kill your bait. Im sure the same applies to your tank.

Answer 6

My wife, Brandy, was the only one who had a female betta named Aphrodite that she could actually touch in the water. FOr some strange odd reason, Aphrodite would swim to the top whenever she wanted Brandy to touch her. Brandy said that of all the bettas we had, Aphrodite was the only one to show a unique personality.

Answer 7

well, you can touch some fish, some do have teeth, but their small teeth. Your not supposed to touch fish, I have and now the fish are scared of me, lol. It's kind of weird.

Answer 8

Do not touch your fish! It will damage the natural slime coating on their body and make them susceptible to disease, etc. It is okay to feed them out of your fingers. my goldfish like that.

Answer 9

I am going to set it straight for everyone. You are never supposed to touch ur fish to them your hands feel like sand paper. i suggest u dont

Answer 10

My Betta will swim over when I put my finger in the tank, he rubs gently, really cool. But warning they need the slime on their body so not too much petting.

Answer 11

i use to have a little betta fish in a tiny bowl, and i would try to touch it...but i don't think it was a good idea because it died a week later...i wanted to see if it would bite my finger cause they say betta fish bite each other...lol...i was really stupid then...