OK to Pet my Goldfish???

**Billythefish** · 03-27-2008, 08:11 AM

I just dont get this thread its like you guys think its ok to touch your fish as long as you add stress coat! Thats crazy
I maybe ranting but i just cant understand why you guys would risk harming your fish slime coat and maybe risk bringing toxics in to the water im sorry guys for going on but hand on your haert is it worth the risk?

**Ghostknife** · 03-27-2008, 10:48 AM

I am with BillytheFish!! But I am also very surprised nobody has mentioned their own personal health.
Mental

**Halelorf** · 03-27-2008, 11:43 AM

The alternative is to net the fish which, given the size of the particular fish, can damage the slime coat far more when the fish thrashes than you hand. You should always be well washed before and after putting your hands into a fish tank anyways, so the toxins should be very minimal. Most professional goldfish breeders in China and Japan use their hands to move and get a closer look at their fish and have been doing so for centuries. Some goldfish even seek out the touch of humans, like coming up to nibble fingers and in the extreme case Punch the oranda. Handling a goldfish is a personal choice but as long as you are careful it is far from detrimental to the fish's health.

**Demi ^_^** · 03-27-2008, 11:45 AM

Hey guys, I think it'll be fine, I pet my betta daily and he is as healthy and happy. My Angelfish also nibble on my fingers, same with my Gourami....

**jbeining75** · 03-27-2008, 12:06 PM

I hand feed my Oscars and pet them. Well at least Carl. Jarvis doesn't like the idea yet. I just throw in some stress coat to heal any slimecoat I may have removed in the process. I clean my hands very well though and make sure no soap residue is on them before I stick my hands in my tank at all.

**Billythefish** · 03-27-2008, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Ghostknife

I am with BillytheFish!! But I am also very surprised nobody has mentioned their own personal health.
Mental

Thats a good point you made there say you had a cut or somthing

**Halelorf** · 03-27-2008, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Billythefish

Thats a good point you made there say you had a cut or somthing

The risks of infection or getting TB from fish are very real. However if you are readily sticking your hands into a fish tank or any untreated body of water with open wounds then you are naive.

**Kayla-Bug** · 04-15-2008, 09:04 AM

I agree. It does damage their slime coat a little, but as long as you don't do it a whole lot it would be fine. I have a female betta that lets me pet her, and I love it!!! I actually prefer catching my fish by hand then trying to catch them with a net because with a net I can't really tell if I am squishing them or what I'm doing. Plus I think it is less stressful. Do you think that is bad? Should I use a net more often?