Pavlov and water changes...

Aphotic Phoenix

Graver Girl
Jun 5, 2007
585
0
0
Virginia, USA
Basic question is: is there anything wrong with feeding or giving the fish a treat after water changes?

Water changes don't really seem to bother my fish...but I of course do feel a little bad about how frequently I invade their space. Just wondering if a little classical conditioning could make the whole process less stressful if they begin to associate all the activity with a treat at the end.
 
I dont see what harm it would do. For what it is worth, I have never noticed fish minding a water change. I change a lot of water often. The fish follow the hose around looking for churned up food. Afterwards they are happy and back in their regular routine. The more water you change the faster your fish will grow and the better they will look. Just make sure temperature and KH of the replacement water is the same or close to the same, as what is in the tank.
 
Same here, ours seem to like wc's, i feed them about an hour later...:)
 
My fish don't mind WC's. Most of them try nibbling my arm hoping it's food. Or follow the hose seeing if it'll bring them something to eat.

And when I'm pouring the new water into the tank, they like to surf the current it makes.

They are always begging after ive moved on to the next tank!

My fish are always begging anytime they see me!
 
I agree.... mine seem to love them. They surf and take bubble baths! Water changes are fish parties in my tanks.
 
hehe, well mine usually seem rather indifferent to the whole process (and yes I am careful to make sure the water temp, etc is correct), but I do feel bad when I accidentally make a ruckus by hitting the glass with a decoration I'm moving (and the swearing that follows).
 
AquariaCentral.com