Interesting news topic

[LoveMyOscar]

...

 

[Sorrell]

I agree, and I really like that smoking analogy. I just wanted to say that all kids aren't disgusting.

 

[Socrates]

Yeah that would be a little hair raising ... but what really bothers me is them letting these children 'pet' the other tank inhabitants. Fish of any kind are not made to be petted and especially by a bunch of children.

That's what I was thinking too.

 

[Pointy_kitty]

Great story but as far as petting your fish My huge oscar loves it he comes to me when I open the tank lid to be petted

That still doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. My oscar loves to rub up against my hands if they are in the water ... so I stopped putting them in the water unless I HAVE to. It was never the point of weather the fish likes it or not, but more so the fact that it is not good for the fish. Kinda like people that smoke. They enjoy it, but you know as well as I do that it is not good for them.

Sorrell,

As you can see I don't think adults should touch the fish either. I know children and most of the time they are too rough with animals. They don't always understand to be gentle. Gentle or not, people young or old, should not touch/pet fish.

thats a VERY controversial subject
i beleive i have met just as many people who think it is "dangerous" to pet fish due to loss of slimecoat as i have stating that unless you break out the scrub brush or constantly "handle" your fish then they will be alright
i have pet and touched my fish before
no fatalities yet
in fact alot of people at the forum do not beleive in "netting" their fish unless completely necessary and beleive it much safer to gently catch it by hand

 

[drobbins27]

Great story but as far as petting your fish My huge oscar loves it he comes to me when I open the tank lid to be petted

That still doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. My oscar loves to rub up against my hands if they are in the water ... so I stopped putting them in the water unless I HAVE to. It was never the point of weather the fish likes it or not, but more so the fact that it is not good for the fish. Kinda like people that smoke. They enjoy it, but you know as well as I do that it is not good for them.

Sorrell,

As you can see I don't think adults should touch the fish either. I know children and most of the time they are too rough with animals. They don't always understand to be gentle. Gentle or not, people young or old, should not touch/pet fish.

thats a VERY controversial subject
i beleive i have met just as many people who think it is "dangerous" to pet fish due to loss of slimecoat as i have stating that unless you break out the scrub brush or constantly "handle" your fish then they will be alright
i have pet and touched my fish before
no fatalities yet
in fact alot of people at the forum do not beleive in "netting" their fish unless completely necessary and beleive it much safer to gently catch it by hand

Id have to agree with LMO. Removing the slime coat form a fish can be extremely dangerous

 

[sumer_kay]

wow! some stong opinions there I guess I should specify (even though you already made urself clear hahah ) don't really pet him, more like just touch him for a second... okay, so you're still against it...you know I thought it was bad to touch them also, but the otherday I was at my lfs,and I said wow! that is a kool fish! (lung fish) and the gal was like him? (sticking her hand in and rubbing his nose) hes a sweetheart! She didn't bat an eye ball, it was very natural, so I assumed if my hands were clean it wouldn't be a problem..Thanks for the low down

p.s Someday I am going to buy that lung fish