How to stop fish from being too friendly??

[20gallonreefer000]

This may seem like a stupid question but any time I walk by or am near my tank the fish are waiting at the surface in a group. I can't appreciate their natural behavior or swimming styles. I feed 2-3 times daily(chalk bass, clown, chromis). Any recommendations on how to get them to act like "fish" would be great. Thanks :)

 

[bluemon]

Feed them less, or use an auto feeder.

They gather there because they see you as a source of food.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I understand where you are coming from. It's a tiny bit annoying (when you're trying to observe them acting 'naturally', right?) But obviously our fish catch on to the fact that when we approach point X near the tank, they are getting fed. Then in time, what fish wouldn't want to congregate at point X all the time?

You can first try feeding from different, random points, to keep them guessing. But also I train both them 'and' myself to back away and watch them from a few feet away. Meaning unless I get up close, they know to go back to normal-- food isn't coming. Lol.

 

[dvgyfresh]

It’s kinda nice tho , even got my mantis shrimp dancing around lol but ye otherwise got to sneak

 

[fish_collector]

Yep all of my fish do this. I kind of like it though, it gets me more in touch with them. Anyone else comes up to the tank and they scatter, it's only me they will do this with lol.

 

[UncommonSense]

Yep all of my fish do this. I kind of like it though, it gets me more in touch with them. Anyone else comes up to the tank and they scatter, it's only me they will do this with lol.

Here’s a fun example of that, and a interesting indication that this is a learned behavior:

I rehomed a black ghost knifefish from a friend to my larger FW tank long ago… these fish are essentially blind, and use electro-location to navigate, hunt, and more!

After having this knifefish for several years; I noticed that it would dart back into a hiding spot as soon as a stranger’s hand touched tank water… However, it would dart to the surface and brush against specifically me, and its prior caretaker, “begging” for food if either of us touched the water and made our presence known!

 

[20gallonreefer000]

It’s kinda nice tho , even got my mantis shrimp dancing around lol but ye otherwise got to sneak

They are like dogs which is cute, but I do prefer seeing them act naturally.

 

[bluemon]

They are like dogs which is cute, but I do prefer seeing them act naturally.

To be fair, if you wanted to see them act naturally, I wouldn’t keep them in a glass cage.

I think to expect them to “act naturally” while keeping them away from the natural habitat is human greediness

 

[VintageReefer]

To be fair, if you wanted to see them act naturally, I wouldn’t keep them in a glass cage.

I think to expect them to “act naturally” while keeping them away from the natural habitat is human greediness

I read the first post and it gave me a “first world problems” vibe. We take fish from the ocean, the majority of fish in this hobby are wild caught (kidnapped) and put them in tanks smaller than anything they are used to. And you can’t be grateful for the fact that after all the capturing, netting, bagging, shipping, and trauma, that in the end…they like you?

Here is a viewpoint that might help. It is natural for fish to gather near a food source that they view as safe. You are the food source. You make them feel safe. It’s natural. Drop in a few flakes or pellets and give them what they are looking for and enjoy the interaction up close and view their uninterrupted behavior from a few extra feet away

 

[Gumbies R Us]

At least your fish swim to the glass. Whenever I would get close to my tank's glass? My firefish and Watchman would vanish into the aquascape.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

At least your fish swim to the glass. Whenever I would get close to my tank's glass? My firefish and Watchman would vanish into the aquascape.

All of mine act like I'm fixing to murder them. Only the maroon lightning clown will actively come to the glass, but she only wants to pick a fight and bite me.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I have one fish that is super friendly. I got a 6" unicorn tang from a local club member.
Anytime my hand is in the tank he is right there rubbing again my arm and will let me pet him and lift him out of the tank by hand.

Was told he was friendly. Blew me away that he was lifted / pulled out of the tank by hand when I went to pick it up

 

[20gallonreefer000]

I read the first post and it gave me a “first world problems” vibe. We take fish from the ocean, the majority of fish in this hobby are wild caught (kidnapped) and put them in tanks smaller than anything they are used to. And you can’t be grateful for the fact that after all the capturing, netting, bagging, shipping, and trauma, that in the end…they like you?

Here is a viewpoint that might help. It is natural for fish to gather near a food source that they view as safe. You are the food source. You make them feel safe. It’s natural. Drop in a few flakes or pellets and give them what they are looking for and enjoy the interaction up close and view their uninterrupted behavior from a few extra feet away

I totally get what you mean that this is a first world problem, I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do to get my fish to like me less ;). Thanks for your response.

 

[Elira_6301]

This may seem like a stupid question but any time I walk by or am near my tank the fish are waiting at the surface in a group. I can't appreciate their natural behavior or swimming styles. I feed 2-3 times daily(chalk bass, clown, chromis). Any recommendations on how to get them to act like "fish" would be great. Thanks :)

I love that my fish follow me around. Its adorable. They swim all over when im not near their tank. But when I approach they are all over me. Its a good feeling for me..even If im just the food slave.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

I love that my fish follow me around. Its adorable. They swim all over when im not near their tank. But when I approach they are all over me. Its a good feeling for me..even If im just the food slave.

I feel obligated to feed them every time I walk by

 

[Elira_6301]

I feel obligated to feed them every time I walk by

Try having fancy goldfish...beggars, everyone of them. Its awful.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

 

[VintageReefer]

All of mine act like I'm fixing to murder them. Only the maroon lightning clown will actively come to the glass, but she only wants to pick a fight and bite me.

@20gallonreefer000

This ^ is probably why I was a little harsh. For months I would walk up to my 75 gallon tank, and you would see no fish. From a distance - tang, chromis, cardinal, firefish, damsel, and more. But when I walked up…nothing. No fish lol. Family or friend visit and tell me, why don’t you put some fish in that tank. Yea thanks I have like 7 lol.

It took a lot of work to bribe them and stay there when feeding to get them comfortable enough to stay out. So I had the exact opposite problem as you, and personally I’d rather have them trust me than fear me. Be grateful they appreciate you so much!

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Exactly. I wish my fish were somewhat friendly. I'm the local axe murderer in their eyes.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

@20gallonreefer000

This ^ is probably why I was a little harsh. For months I would walk up to my 75 gallon tank, and you would see no fish. From a distance - tang, chromis, cardinal, firefish, damsel, and more. But when I walked up…nothing. No fish lol. Family or friend visit and tell me, why don’t you put some fish in that tank. Yea thanks I have like 7 lol.

It took a lot of work to bribe them and stay there when feeding to get them comfortable enough to stay out. So I had the exact opposite problem as you, and personally I’d rather have them trust me than fear me. Be grateful they appreciate you so much!

I don't think you came across as harsh, I understand where you are coming from. I'm honestly surprised they managed to survive in the wild, I've only had the chromis and clown for 5 days and the chalk bass pair for a 3 weeks and they are exceptionally comfortable even when my hand is in the tank cleaning. I do like seeing my fish but I admire the shy behavior they can sometimes exhibit.