Fish Petting: Good for you but what about your fish?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

So I spied this really cool "fish petting" video from @IranAquaria on IG and I loved it so much I think we should talk about it. Well, not the video but about petting your fish! Who does, is it bad for them, do you have photos stuff like that! So let's chat!

1. Do you have fish in your tank that allows you to PET them?

2. Do you think it harms the fish to PET them?

Bonus: Share a photo or video of you petting your fish. (only photos of live fish please)

 

[puffy127]

That's awesome (except for the tail pulling part). Never seen a yellow tang get petted. They obviously don't mind getting petted and/or like it. Here's my dogface puffer. He definitely enjoys it.

 

[Katrina71]

It might be bad, but I do it.

 

[motortrendz]

My vlamingi always rubs against my hands when im working in the tank.. I dont go and try to pet him, he comes to me and I just put my hand flat and let him run against me. Hed let me pet him but if be afraid if he moved around and I accidentally moved backwards against his scales and cause an injury. No other fish in my tank will allow this, my hippo bites.. but my clowns will jump in the container I use to feed. (Atleast I know the be easy to catch lol)

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Does getting bit count?

 

[Bryce M.]

I think it's fine, my betta enjoys it and obviously my zebra moray loves it
it's good for eels, it helps get sediment off of them and it helps with their skin care

 

[EmilyXLC]

Just let me love my babies LOL

I pet them if they seem to enjoy it-- both puffers have always loved it.

 

[will25u]

I do it with my GS maroon clown. She is very sweet - totally unlike the typical evil maroons we all hear about.

 

[ThatTennesseeBeardedGuy]

I am personally a leave the hands out of the tank kinda guy, however I have recently learned that in QT, sometimes a sick fish requires syringe feeding to be able to eat properly (by loosely holding the fish and putting food directly in his mouth) and I have noticed that my kole tang in particular doesn't seem to mind being held or petted. Also even after the first feeding you can tell that fish bounce back from that level of care. However, for me this is a kind of it depends situation.

 

[Boston reefer]

That's awesome (except for the tail pulling part). Never seen a yellow tang get petted. They obviously don't mind getting petted and/or like it. Here's my dogface puffer. He definitely enjoys it.

Beautiful interruptus Angle puffy127! Sweet collection all around.

 

[JLynn]

I mean I guess if the fish is volunteering for it, that’s fine? Definitely don’t go chasing your fish around the tank trying to pet them - it would be cruel to stress them out like that for no reason. But if they come to you for pets for some reason I guess that’s okay. The only thing I see maybe being a concern is that it might disrupt their slime coat if you do it a lot.

 

[b4tn]

Harmful to the fish? I am more worried about me. I always think twice when the hand goes in the tank because I have an overly skittish foxface that will be fine tucked in the corner then just bolt. No stings.....Yet.

 

[pasquale petrovia]

I used to have a green bird wrasse named Wally who used to sit in my palm while I hand fed him. He lived with me for 9 years. I am training my long nose hawk now he takes food from my hand, but I haven't held him yet.

 

[Skibum]

My YT tries to stick me "I'm going to stick you!" I hate that fish. I would like to exchange mine with the one in this video.

 

[Big Boy]

when I first got into the hobby I had a Picasso trigger Juan Pablo”JP” that I could pet mid water of the tank and hand feed. I friend was over and she dangled her finger in like bait and he bit her I think it was her fault

 

[CreatiVe2]

I think its ok to pet only if they dont show distress... like tail pulling
I had an algae blenny land on my hand every time stuck it in the tank.

 

[Cjpowlilly]

I used to have a porcupine puffer that loved to be pet. Every time I'd walk up to the tank he would spit water at me to get my attention and would get alittle rub.

 

[pasquale petrovia]

Some of them love us as much as we love them

 

[Ardeus]

I think it's fine, my betta enjoys it and obviously my zebra moray loves it
it's good for eels, it helps get sediment off of them and it helps with their skin care

Do you have a video of you petting the betta?

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

I really need to stop working at a high school as I totally thought we were using a euphemism....

I think if the fish seeks the attention, then by all means pet it. But don't go on a "you will love me" mission and stress the fish out chasing it around the tank...