I have a fantail Goldfish and i have heard that picking up a fish with a net is bad for its scales.
And i want to take it out of its tank this week so i can move around the rocks and change the water
so yea can i just pick it up with my bair hands?
2007-01-17 13:06:45 · 26 answers · asked by Tyler G 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It will be more stressful for your fish if you take her out of the tank than if you leave her in there and just slowly move the rocks to where you want them. Nets are made with a soft material that does no damage to a fish. If you still don't trust that no damage is done, get some "Stress Coat" and put in the water when you move the fish. It helps them replenish their slime coat which is a natural barrier to bacteria.
You should only be changing 30-40% of the water in the tank, not all of it. Cleaning the tank and changing 100% of the water eliminates all of the beneficial bacteria that are needed to keep the water stable.
2007-01-17 13:19:11 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nets hurt goldfish. They remove the slime that protects their scales, and in some cases remove, or damage scales.
Fish fins also have a nasty habit of sticking to the net and getting damaged. Nets are a bad idea.
Bare hands also removes the slime from your fish, the acid in your hand could also hurt the fish. Then there’s the matter of what if you drop it. Bear hands are a bad idea.
Get a glass jug, (I use a 2cup jug for my larger fish, and a 1cup jug for the smaller one) and scoop them out of the water.
Leave them in the jugs while you change the water.
Then gentle lower the jug under the water, and THEN tip the fish out. NEVER tip your fish and let it fall into the water. This will stress the fish, and risk hurting it.
The jug method is nice and easy, convenient, has no risk of removing slime, and very little chance of hurting your fish. The fish doesn’t even have to come out of the water.
If you don’t have jugs, use drinking glasses, or small containers with no edges.
2007-01-17 17:49:10 · answer #2 · answered by deranged_bee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Always, no matter what use a net! If you pick up ANY fish with your fingers you will damage a protective layer of slime on their body and any chemicals in your tank that were harmless before can kill it. Fish are delicate animals and nets are surefire way that they are safejust make sure you wet the net before you scoop up the fish and that the net is clean and isn't dusty.
2007-01-17 16:14:00 · answer #3 · answered by Guru Selkie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try scooping it up with a cup. It is a lot less stressful than nets and hands, but not aways possible depending on the size of the fish and the tank.
But, be VERY careful if you use a net, they can kill themselves struggling so much.
2007-01-18 05:53:57 · answer #4 · answered by Zugunruhly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Good goldy owners use their hands. Of course, no rings or jewelry and preferably short nails. Yup. Go right ahead and pick it up in your bare hand, BUT, be sure you have a good grip before lifting it away from the tank. You don't want the little slippery thing to jump out of your hands. If they're wiggling, don't try to lift them out. You have to learn to lift them in such a way that they feel secure and calm. If they are laying still, you can go ahead and lift them all the way out. I've found that having a secure, but not tight grip, so they feel safe and covering their head so they can't see helps. Put a little stress coat on your hands first too.
2007-01-17 14:41:01 · answer #5 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can pick her up with your bare hands but if she wriggles against your skin there's a chance you could drop her. If you don't want to use a net, then try using a large ladle. The water doesn't drain out of the ladle like it does a net so there's no damage to the scales.
2007-01-17 13:11:11 · answer #6 · answered by jackiemm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea of using the cup sounds really ideal, but make sure that if your hands/arms are going into the tank to wash them with soap and water because the bacteria from your skin can hurt your little fishy.
2007-01-18 01:51:16 · answer #7 · answered by Shelly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was at a fish store last night, and one of the shop owners picked up a couple fish with his hands and moved them to another tank, so I think it would be just fine! =)
2007-01-18 04:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by Kari R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You want to use a net. Besides bad for their scales is the chance that you'll drop her.
You can even make a net with a kitchen strainer and some loose fabric covering the strainer, like stocking material.
2007-01-17 13:11:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used to pick mine up carefully in the palm of my hand and it was fine. If you're worried about it, why not just use a net to be on the safe side.
2007-01-17 13:10:19 · answer #10 · answered by UNI Panther 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋