Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: tiga on April 04, 2009, 15:06:47 PM

Title: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: tiga on April 04, 2009, 15:06:47 PM
I am a bit paranoid about my lot being indoor only and making sure they get enough stimulation. So yesterday I bought two goldfish and all the stuff they need. I used to have fish but not since I was at Uni.

What a success. The boys love it. They watched me set it all up and were very nosy. THen when the fish went in they were fascinated. Kept sniffing and tapping the glass. Riley, my fatty, sat on the lid so I have tin foil on it now to keep him off. I was slightly worried that I may find an empty tank this morning but all is well. Riley and Digby barely moved all night, just watching, sniffing, tapping and walking around the tank.  Poppy hasn't had much chance to get close yet, so not sure what she thinks.

Definitely money well spent though not sure how long it will keep them interested.


Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: Wibblechick on April 04, 2009, 15:11:56 PM
Made me think of this .....

http://www.jacquielawson.com/preview.asp?cont=1&hdn=0&pv=3111902

Do keep an eye on those fish - cats can be remarkably resourceful when they REALLY want to catch something.....
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: JackSpratt on April 04, 2009, 16:19:08 PM
It's great that your cats are entertained; but you need to consider the effects of your cats on the fish too! If one of your cats is constantly tapping the tank, that's known to cause stress to fish.

Putting the tank out of reach on display out of reach might be a safer option. :) (I have a glass bowl with minnows in - my cats watch them, but they're on a shelf out of reach.)
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: Janeyk on April 04, 2009, 16:21:47 PM
 I would be worried about the fish they may be scared by it and wouldn't want the cat to get them  :(
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: Indys Mamma on April 04, 2009, 18:52:26 PM
I have a 3ft tank in the lounge that the boys adore, we call it kitty-tv lol

They'll soon be bored of the tapping and from what I can tell the fish soon get used to the cats too, my fish now wander up to see what the cats are up to :Crazy:
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: JackSpratt on April 04, 2009, 18:59:02 PM
We used to have a tropical fish tank and Sage sat for hours banging the glass - most of the fish got white spot from the sheer worry of the situation, so we gave the remaining few to our local doctors surgery for their tank.
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: tiga on April 04, 2009, 20:07:14 PM
I've ordered a stand today on the internet so when that comes the cats won't be able to get too close and I won't have to worry. The fish don't seem bothered by the tapping as they don't even move away from cats' paw. But I will definitely keep an eye on them as I don't want them to be dinner or the fish get stressed.

I've been in this afternoon and the cats have been watching the fish but not tapping or prowling round the tank. I think it will be okay - probably the initial excitement of it. I'm more concerned about them getting the lid off and actually getting the fish. But with the display and the more sturdy lid I have ordered I think all will be safe.
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: Janeyk on April 04, 2009, 20:12:58 PM
That's good, until the new lid arrives I'd be tempted to keep it way out of their reach to be on the safe side  :hug:
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: Millys Mum on April 04, 2009, 20:13:08 PM
Im not a mad fish keeper but i thought white spot was a protozoa/parasite problem not a stress related condition...
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: JackSpratt on April 04, 2009, 20:34:59 PM
Found this in response to the question "Can tapping on the glass kill my fish?"

"Probably not directly, but if it is done continually, it can cause serious stress to the fish, which makes them prone to diseases that can ultimately kill them."

I guess we could've been unlucky and got some unhealthy fish, then the stress made the others prone to whatever illness it was. (I never saw a white spot on the fish, but assumed that's what it was - I could've been mistaken.)

Hope your stand arrives soon, tiga. :)
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: Mollyrock on April 04, 2009, 23:41:07 PM
I love this thread. Tiggz has a pet fish too.
Turn your volume up....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbhSuqhRe-w&feature=channel_page
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: MooCat on April 05, 2009, 02:15:04 AM
Wow Tigzz is the spitting image of my moms cat Monty.
Title: Re: My cats have pet fish!
Post by: Purrrrfect (Shelly) on April 06, 2009, 16:08:44 PM
I have 2 fish small tanks and my cats love to sit and watch.  ;D