Appetite, Tameness, and Health

[goldenpuon]

I'm sure a lot of people have noticed this with their own fish and are aware. Still, it hassn't really been discussed and decided I would like to share some of what I have observed regarding it.

With my own fish over the years, I have noticed that fish that are tamer and more friendly eat more and are in general, healthier.

Why is actually pretty simple actually. Fish that are more friendly toward their owner generally are because they want to be fed. And good appetite is a sign of health. Friendly/tame fish also seem to be more active (though this varies a bit more from fish to fish). As well, I have noticed that fish that are friendly are more likely to hold a higher position in the pecking order as shown by shoving away smaller and/or weaker fish when searching for food(the shoving thing is a good example of goldfish dominacne since they are not aggressive at all really). Tame fish also tend to have not gotten sick recently (aka another sign of a connection between tameness and health). Previously tame fish that are bullied by other fish or bullied in general are less likely to be tame. Also, if another tankmate has dominance over a fish, they may be less friendly to avoid getting picked on by the other fish. Or they may try to seek out to beg for food or wait until the dominant fish is out of the way.

I have also found that tamer fish sometimes (NOT all the time) grow faster. Fish that are netted or stared at and/or checked for disease in a way that scares them are also likely to lose some trust and tameness. This can be restored with time but how long and to what extent depends on the fish IMO.

Lastly, certain fish compared to others of their same species have personality traits that make them more friendly than others. This may be connected with hardiness, health, and/or prior handling.

Note: Some fish species are naturally more shy, aggressive, or fragile than others. Some of this applies to certain fish species more than others for that reason. As well, fish shuld be compared to those of the same species in terms of friendliness and appetite indicating health since each species is different.

Anyway, I hope this post was informative and interesting. Feel free to add your own experiences and discuss.

Renee

[Carl]

Excellent post/observations!

I have also found that tamer fish sometimes (NOT all the time) grow faster. Fish that are netted or stared at and/or checked for disease in a way that scares them are also likely to lose some trust and tameness. This can be restored with time but how long and to what extent depends on the fish IMO.

I think this has a lot to do with stress, as studies in other animals (such as Baboons) showed that animals with much more stress eventually were less healthy (the effect often was not immediate)

I would add that as for handling, this also comes down to how handled and even the handlers stress level, as I personally believe animals can sense your stress and this can lead to an animal/fish that is much more stressed due to handling or similar issues/procedures.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

would add that as for handling, this also comes down to how handled and even the handlers stress level, as I personally believe animals can sense your stress and this can lead to an animal/fish that is much more stressed due to handling or similar issues/procedures.

Maybe this is part of the reason my fish get so nervous when I stare at them to check them for disease. Perhaps they can sense my stress about it if they are looking a bit odd (my normal reason for checking them.) And with baths, netting fish, and carrying a ish in a water filled container or bag, my hands always shake pretty bad out of nervousness of dropping the fish or missing/hurting the fish (as with the net). That might explain why I can never seem to sneak up on the fish and net it without some chasing and the fish panicking.

Renee

[babygeige]

I'm actually going to be kind of testing some of your observations now, Renee.

In my 30 gallon, I had a Flying Fox and a Siamese Algae Eater. They've been ok with each other since I got them about 3 years ago. Sometimes the Fox would chase the SAE a bit, but in the last month or so, I've noticed that it's gotten more frequent and the SAE seems to hide a lot. I also don't think he's as big as he could be.

So today I moved the SAE from the 30 to the 50. Hopefully he'll be more at ease here. The only fish I have some concerns about is the Angel fish, Pierre. But the SAE was with an angel in the other tank too, so we'll see how it goes.

I'll let you know how it turns out. Maybe the SAE will start to grow a bit more and be less shy.

[goldenpuon]

Sounds like a good plan of action. Are SAE's normally shy as a species in general?

[parker002]

I have "false" Siamese Algae eaters and they're not shy. They suck on my hand if I stick it in the tank. They're constantly moving - they act like they have ADD.

[babygeige]

They supposedly get more aggressive as they grow older. Not as mean as Chinese Algae Eaters, though. I've had mine for about 3 years I think. He's always been kind of a quiet fish, but he's always been around the Flying Fox too, who is very rambunctious.

So far I've seen my SAE more in the last 3 days than I have in the last month. He really seems so much more comfortable in his new home. In fact, I was able to get some nice pics! I'll be posting them in the fish photo forums, because I have several nice ones of various fish.

I'm very relieved because I haven't seen Pierre, my angelfish, bother him at all.

[goldenpuon]

Maybe it's just because your SAE is young or because the flying fox was messing with him bit. Glad Pierre isn't bothering him.

Parker, your false siamese algae eaters sound very fun to watch. Most of my own fish act like they have ADD too- especially my pretty old but hyper guppy French Fry. And also Wickren, one of the most hyper, tame, and active goldfish I have ever seen. lol