Though your fish are technically your pets, you should never actually pet them. It is very important to keep your hands off of your fish. Handling your fish with your bare hands could injure your fish, or yourself. Be sure to invest in fish handling tools when you begin your adventures with an aquarium.

There are a couple of reasons to avoid touching your fish. First of all, your fish are covered in a mucous layer which serves as a protective coat. This coat is absolutely essential to their wellbeing. If a fish’s protective coat becomes damaged, it puts them at a higher risk of contracting an illness or disease. However handling your fish may also harm you. Fish and other aquarium organisms are naturally wild creatures. In the wild, many of these species have developed complex means of defense. Some fish varieties may have poisonous spines or a stinging mechanism. Other varieties of aquarium creatures may have dangerous claws or extremely sharp jaws. To keep your hands and health safe, avoid picking up any of your aquarium’s inhabitants with your bare hands.

Though you should never touch the members of your aquarium, you will probably need to move them at some time or another. Be sure to have a variety of fish nets on hand to deal with your fish. You can have a main net that you use for routine tasks for each of your fish. Sometimes it is convenient to have nets of different sizes, for your different fish. Always rinse the nets between uses to keep them clean and free from bacteria. However it is best to always have a couple of back-up nets, in case one of your fish falls ill. You will want to use a clean net to transport him out of the aquarium. It is best to avoid re-using nets from sick fish with your other healthy fish.

Even though you cannot touch your fish, they still provide great inspiration and joy. Keep them safe and healthy by using nets to transport them and you will all live happier.