What does this mean?

Question

I have 3 comet goldfish and a moore in a ten gallon tank I feed them with flake foo and slow sinking pellet food anyway when I feed them the flake food,in an effort to prevent air blatter desies I grasp the flakes in my thumb and index finger and stick my hand half way down then my fish swim up to me and eat the food,even if I dont have food they like to come up and kinda suck on my finger (you know the way goldfish do)deos this mean my fish trust me or does it mean that they just want the food I have had them for at leat 3 monthes

Answer 1

Kind of both. They want the food and also know that your hand poses no danger to them. So yes, and yes, they want the food and trust you at the same time.

BTW, others have said it too... that's way over crowded for a 10 gallon or at least will be as the fish grow.

MM

Answer 2

This many fish in a 10 gallon tank is severe overcrowding.

Common Glass Aquarium Sizes

5.5 Gallon 16x8x10 (128 sq. in.)
10 Leader 20x10x12 (200 sq. in.)
10 Hexagon 14x12x18 (127 sq. in)
15 Gallon 24x12x12 (288 sq. in.)
20 High 24x12x16 (288 sq. in.)
20 Long 30x12x12 (360 sq. in.)
25 Gallon 24x12x20 (288 sq. in.)
29 Gallon 30x12x18 (360 sq. in.)
30 Gallon 36x12x16 (432 sq. in.)
30 Breeder 36x18x12 (648 sq. in.)
33 Long 48x13x12 (624 sq. in.)
37 Gallon 30x12x22 (360 sq. in.)
38 Gallon 36x12x20 (432 sq. in.)
40 Long 48x13x16 (624 sq. in.)
40 Breeder 36x18x16 (648 sq. in.)
45 Gallon 36x12x24 (360 sq. in.)
50 Gallon 36x18x18 (648 sq. in.)
55 Gallon 48x13x20 (624 sq. in.)
65 Gallon 36x18x24 (648 sq. in.)
Petite body fish
1” per gallon or 1” per 12 sq. in. of surface
For example 20 long has 360 sq. in. surface area
360/12=30
Can a 20 long support 30” of fish? Probably not.
A 20 high has only 288 sq. in. surface area
288/12=24
Can a 20 long support 20” of fish? Probably not.
A 25 is also 288 sq. in. surface area
288/12=24
Can a 25 support 24” of fish. Probably.
I like to average the two for a more accurate capacity.
For the 20 long, 30 by surface area, 20 by volume averages to 25”
Can a 20 long support 25” of fish? Probably.
For the 20 high, 24 by surface area, 20 by volume averages to 22”
Can a 20 high support 22” of fish? Probably.
Why does the 20 long support 3” more fish that the 20 high?
A larger surface area allows a greater oxygen exchange, which is as important as volume of water.
Large bodied fish, such as gold fish you need to double or even triple these numbers, i.e. 3 gallons per inch and 36 sq. in. of surface per 1” of fish.
This is not the only consideration for fish tanks. Types of fish will appreciate one type of tank over another. For example, fast swimmers like Zebra Danios, Pearl Danios and Blue Danios will do best in a tank that is at least 30” long. They would be better kept in a 20 long rather than a 25. Giant Danios would do best in a tank at least 48” long. They would be better kept in a 55 rather than a 65.
On the other hand, slow, tall bodied fish like Angel Fish and Discus will do best in a deep tank. They would be better kept in a 65 rather than a 55. They, like other cichlids also need a bit more than the 1” per gallon and/or 12 sq. in. surface.

Answer 3

I'm sure they have associated your hand with food. It does mean they aren't threatened by you and do trust you though. I have few reef chromis that will actually come up and "sit" in my hand when I stick it in the tank now. I've seen some friends fish that actually like to be pet before.

Answer 4

Your fish might just be curious about your finger. Or maybe he is sucking something off your finger that tastes good! But remember, always throughly wash your hands without soap to get any lotions, dirt, bacteria, and stuff off of your hands before putting them in your water. : )

Answer 5

They associate your presence with food. My tigerbarbs bite my arm if I reach into their tank. Feels like a slight pinch.

Answer 6

A goldfish will suck on anything if they think its food. Their always hungry.