I have seen vaious species profiles of fish being able to be hand fed, or fish like Plecos being taken out of the water for a photo. I was always under the impression that it was harmful to touch fish because it can remove their slime coat. Is there any truth to that?
Touching fish
- Thread starter bdobosz
- Start date
Uhm...well I have read that. Basically that they produce a protective slime coat that keeps viruses and bacteria at bay. And any handling of them(like handling a butterfly and therefore removing dust from their wings) hampers the natural function it is intended to cause.
But I don't have any solid scientific evidence.
Good question!
But I don't have any solid scientific evidence.
Good question!
It really depends on the fish. Plecos are nice "photo fish" so people take a lot of pictures of them. But I think that the best pictures, are the ones of them in a tank.
You can hand feed a bunch of fish, but as for the slime coat and handling it, I think if you are cautious and clean, you should not have an effect on their slime coat.
i catch my larger fish by hand when they need moved and so far no lasting damage to the fish...or me
Hand feeding my african tiger fish is only harmful to me, have you seen the teeth on them. And when handling fish try to always use a wet towel, and as watcher said if you remove the slime coat fish can have problems with disease. I don't think hand feeding would create any problems though.
I think it goes along the same lines for handling catch and release, recreational fishing. In order to keep a fish alive after you catch it(at least give it the best chance af suvival anyways) is to handle it as little as possible. Therefore when you are taking the hook out the general rule is to wet your hands thouroughly first, then grab the hook out and put it right back in, as quick as all possible. Ive seen various pictures on the net of cichlids being photogaphed in the persons hands, they usually have wet hands (from what i could tell) and i would assume they either bag it(for transport) or put it back.
To go more in depth I watched a editorial on re-establishing the black sturgeon in canadian waters. They had the sturgeons out of water for a long time and HAD to handle the fish with their hands. Some of these fish are monsters over 50 pounds.
So it really goes on how hardy your fish is. Do I want to try that with any of my fish regardless of how hardy they are? Heck no. I'll handle them as little as I possibly can. No matter what. But hey, I am no fish biologist.
To go more in depth I watched a editorial on re-establishing the black sturgeon in canadian waters. They had the sturgeons out of water for a long time and HAD to handle the fish with their hands. Some of these fish are monsters over 50 pounds.
So it really goes on how hardy your fish is. Do I want to try that with any of my fish regardless of how hardy they are? Heck no. I'll handle them as little as I possibly can. No matter what. But hey, I am no fish biologist.
Debra Mark
Wench Boots!
When we moved our Pacu, because there wasn't a net big enough, we used a bedsheet and wrapped him in it. My husband carried him from tank to tank without mishap. Personally....I NEVER touch fish 