Touching Fish?

[CrazyDiamond88]

I have a betta, and after doing some research I found that it was good to play with them, get them to follow your finger etc.
but what about touching them? Like putting a hand in the tank and them swimming into it?
Or getting the betta to eat off your finger?

I'm sorry if this seems like a silly question! I just really want to do the right thing by my betta.
What I mean is, could it harm their health to touch them?

 

[TallTree01]

I'd say if the fish is willing to swim up and eat out your hand then let it for sure. My tetras always eat my skin flakes when my arms in their tank. Just don't force it on him. Too much handling may wear down his slime and leave him open to disease.

 

[plectastic]

My sailfin and watermelon plecos don't mind a little stroke sometimes. The watermelon is solid and armoured though haha.

 

[Ninjouzata]

My betta eats off my fingers and seems fine

 

[Discuslove]

all my fish eat bloodworms from my fingers and one of my discus loves his pats.

 

[DreamertK]

The feeling of RCS on my fingertips is quite relaxing.

 

[silenthawk2x3]

Most people will say excessive handling isn't good for the fish, you'll stress them out, you'll damage their slime coat, or injure them, but as long as you don't force yourself on them they should be fine. Fish (and animals in general) won't let themselves be injured. Just make sure your hands are always clean and have fun.

 

[mark4785]

I don't see any reason why touching such a fish would cause any issues so long as your hands have been cleaned with tap water (make sure creams, powders, soaps and varnishes are removed) and make sure the fish can only thrust itself towards parts of your fingers where the nail isn't protruding directly towards its head. You'll also need to be wary of the fact that you should only move your finger/hand from the fishes head down to it's tail fin and not vice versa so as to not dislodge any scales.