Fish and capsaicin

fyaplam

AC Members
Jan 7, 2005
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I just fed my fish their normal flake food and they ate alot less than usual and are exhibiting weird behavior. I had been tearing apart Habaneros into pieces and placing in chile bowls earlier, and even after washing my hands a couple times and drying them I still have a slight burning sensation which I think I didnt get all of the capsaicin off my hands.

Could this hurt the fish? I forgot about it when I fed them, and I didnt excessively handle the flakes I just got some and tossed in there like usual.

It's either that or the nitrites which are climbing
 
Deal with the nitrite first, then see if they are still acting funny. I doubt the little bit (if any) that entered the water or fish will have any ill effects. Don't know for sure, never seen a "Habaneros and its Effects on Aquarium Fish" article. You could be a pioneer!
 
Most likely the oil on your hands, if it did get on the food would have been washed off and is floating on the surface. I would bet it is nititres. If they are above 0.25 ppm then a water change is a must and reduced feedings.
 
wow, this is one thing I never thought I would hear on this board *hahah*
normally capsaicin chat is reserved for the weight lifting/weight loss boards.

My experience with the product is that if its been on ur skin for more than 2 minutes its not coming off unless you pour alcohol on yourself or rip your skin off. No amount of water will remove it.

I dont think it would have bonded to the fish food though, I think that by the time you had finished washing it had most likely already leached into your skin.
 
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