Fish spooked when I point at tank

[puffy127]

Does anyone else's fish get spooked when pointing at the tank? My fish all come up to the front of the tank when I approach, I can hand feed them, do maintenance in the tank, clean the glass, and even give my puffer belly rubs and they do not get spooked. But as soon as I point my finger at the tank they all get spooked.

 

[RMS18]

Does anyone else's fish get spooked when pointing at the tank? My fish all come up to the front of the tank when I approach, I can hand feed them, do maintenance in the tank, clean the glass, and even give my puffer belly rubs and they do not get spooked. But as soon as I point my finger at the tank they all get spooked.

Some of mine will spook. Out of 11 fish 2 will not spook but I can't make the motion fast.

 

[4FordFamily]

Anything that spooks one fish will lead to the others spooking. In the reef, they rely on cues from other fish to determine what's dangerous and what's not. Put another way, if one fish darts for the rocks quickly most fish follow suit nearby that see this -- they assume there's a reason and "ask questions later".

Try pointing more slowly. Fish learn your behavior, so if the other activities you describe are done frequently they'll become accustomed to them.

 

[andrewkw]

When I kept garden eels for many months I'd have to feed them real quick then step away from the tank otherwise they'd be too scared to eat.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Anything that spooks one fish will lead to the others spooking. In the reef, they rely on cues from other fish to determine what's dangerous and what's not. Put another way, if one fish darts for the rocks quickly most fish follow suit nearby that see this -- they assume there's a reason and "ask questions later".

Try pointing more slowly. Fish learn your behavior, so if the other activities you describe are done frequently they'll become accustomed to them.

Lol "ask questions later" So true