I have two koi fish in a 29 gallon tank with a 50 gallon filter. I have a pond outside that i can put them in when it gets too big. i know you can tame koi to eat from your hand or even let you stroke them but how do you do it? I can put a pellet in the water with my finger on it, so the surface rpessure keeps it there and one will eat it after a few minutes then quickly swim away. But the other won't. the one that comes to me is around 3.5 inches and the other is 4.5 inches. Can someone help?
P.S. Are there any special treats that they love that might intice them to come?
2007-07-23 12:25:24 · 5 answers · asked by bangle678 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
it sounds like you are on the right track as far as teaching them to feed from your hand. Keep up what you are doing and then try for petting. To be totally honest, hunger is the best motivation for this and allowing them to go without for for a day, then feeding with your fingers will help. Also, feed them a little less and only once a day so that they stay somewhat hungry ( not harmed from lack of food, just hungry) and they will be more willing to eat from your hand. You can get to the point of holding a pellet between your finger tips under the water and allowing them to grab it from your hand before long at all.
As far as one doing it and the other not, that's just their nature. One is just more frightened than the other. It will eventually come around though, just be patient.
MM
2007-07-23 12:37:38 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a really good article on training fish on page 70 of Aquarium Fish International. If you don't have access to that issue, the guy they did the article on has a web site http://fish-school.com/ This should be a big help in training.
2007-07-23 12:36:32 · answer #2 · answered by fivespeed302 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its trust and comes in time.
but i hope thats a big pond, as while your koi are small now, a 36 inch fish will require 2000 gallons per koi to fully develop.
but as far as "taming" it will come in time.
2007-07-23 12:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by Coral Reef Forum 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would start by keeping my hand in the aquarium and if they come near give them a little food and slowly let them get closer to get the food eventually he will come right to your hand if you have food in it.
2007-07-23 12:30:17 · answer #4 · answered by Jo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With a whip?
2007-07-23 12:30:50 · answer #5 · answered by fionabtoo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋