How To Build Your Relationship With Your Fish

recently my fish died and I had a really strong connection with them. So we got some new fish and they don’t seem to like me as much as the other fish did. The way I can tell if they like me is when I come up to the tank they start to stare at me but these fish aren’t doing that. How would I make our relationship stronger?

 

Feed them high quality food that they like? Fish will associate you with food, and that's why they will love you! So give them what they want, and you can build your relationship with them

 

I don't know about others, but I talk to my fish, they may not react to it, but I still feel like they hear me.
It's easier to connect with certain types of fish, one of a kind fish like bettas are easy because they each have a different personality that you come to bond with.
I have had several tight relationships with my bettas, and understand that it's hard when they pass because I have had it happen many times.

 

What kind of fish are they? How long have you had them?

 

How long have you had this fish? Most fish will follow you and stare at you once they recognize that you are the one that is feeding them, it could take a while, and some fish don't come around. So sorry to hear about your previous fish

 

How long have you had this fish? Most fish will follow you and stare at you once they recognize that you are the one that is feeding them, it could take a while, and some fish don't come around. So sorry to hear about your previous fish

I’ve had them 2 days

 

I see on your duplicate thread that it's only been 2 days.

Patience my friend! The fish have to settle in first. give it a little time.

 

Yeah it'll take them some time to warm up to you

 

Not to re-open any wounds, because losing fish is hard, I know. And I am sorry you lost them. But, Do you know why your previous fish died? How long ago did they die? How many died and how close together did they die? How long did you wait before getting new fish? Did you make sure the tank was healthy first?

I just get a little worried when I see "all my fish died so I got new fish". You know? And while it is normal for new fish to take some time to get comfortable, I just worry that they may not have been put into a healthy environment.

 

Mine loved me as soon as I picked his cup up. So I know how you feel when it comes to that connection. My advice would be as Fanatic stated. Talk to your fish. I too feel like they hear. Pull a chair up in front of your tank and just put your face close to your aquarium and follow them. Get them to get used to their new owner. What I also do with my Betta is take his bottle of food and shake, shake, shake it facing him as he is watching me so he also is trained to know its food time as well as adoring his anxious excited side to side movement. Overtime, the more you show your presence, the more they will adjust. Every fish has their own pace whether they came from a harsh environment, or are just mellow. Every fish is different, hang in there!

 

Hello, when ever I feed I tap the rI'm of tank like a dinner bell, feed in same spot. Gives me time to check & socialize w/them(they will hang cause they think more food is coming). Hope this helps!

 

The only fish Ive ever built a REAL relationship with was my 18 year old Oscar. Besides that, fish are fish. I mean, my Bettas are cool and intelligent and friendly, but if I were destitute, Id totally eat them. lol

The only "relationship" a fish is going to build with you is one where they associate your face with getting some food.

 

its like Pavlov's dog, use feeding time to bond.

 

Feed em.