Feeding Fish - How do you Feel About it?

How do you feel about feeding the fish?

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject:

Okay Joe. I would really like to hear people's opinions then because we used to REALLY enjoy feeding the fish. LOVE to have them all right in my face-was even THRILLED when one little guy took a tiny nip at one of my fingers and left TEETH MARKS! I was running around showing it to strangers.

Don't think I'd have the same reaction to anything larger than the fish that did that though, who's name escapes me...those little yellow fish with the black stripes that are ALL OVER that reef!

Celine

Banned Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 117

Have to weigh in as not being a fan of feeding the fish. It attracts the agressive fish normally, and it is not a natural occurance for fish to be hand fed. Aside from that, if others are snorkeling in the area and you are attractign all the fish, it is a little rude.

Just my 2 cents.

Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 3

Well they feed squid to the sting rays so I dont see why feeding the other fish is any problem. I like to take pictures and a little food makes for lots of fish in the pictures.

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject:

Celine -- Are you talking about THESE fish (see my avatar)?!

We call them the "slutfish" because they come up to everyone looking for handouts. I think they're called Sargeant Majors, though.

Newbie Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 7

NO it's not OK to feed the fish. At least not if you are with a group of people. They end up getting in everyone's face and distract from the natural beauty of the dive. Feed your fish in a tank at home, not in the ocean. There is plenty for them to eat on their own.

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:08 pm Post subject:

oops, I guess the posts related to fish feeding has been moved while I typed that! Sorry...

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:10 pm Post subject:

Yes, those are Sgt. Major fish, in the Damsel family. They are extremely territorial and protect their little part of the reef with a passion. I have seen them run off fish 20 times their size by pecking away at them until they finally leave. They are very particular about how they maintain their area of the reef as well. If you accidentally drop a piece of sand or small rock into their nest of algae, they will instantly go and pick it up and toss it away.

Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

We have done a lot of snorkeling and most places have a special kind of fish food that is good for them and does not have any chemicals or anything unnatural in it. If it doesn't hurt the fish I don't see any problems with it if it makes for more fun. I like having a lot of fish around. Very Happy

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 7:56 pm Post subject:

Sgt. Majors, think that's the name of the fish I was talking about that are all over the place.

I have bought the fish food pellets and fed the fish when other snorkelers were in the area, but I've shared them with the other snorkelers. Just think it's the coolest thing to have fish in your face.

Really haven't fed them since the dive shops said it was a problem and I was sure I was singlehandedly upsetting the balance of the ocean so anxious to hear everybody's opinion please.

Thanks,

Celine

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 8:01 pm Post subject:

Yes, Lainie, those were the fish I was referring to, thanks!

Joe...see, now that's one of the reasons I have to scuba so I can witness things like THAT-fish housecleaning. Too cool! Also...were you drinking when you put up this latest group of crazed Emoticons or was Joe2? rolllaugh

Celine

Newbie Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 6

We got those pellets once and the fish didn't want anything to do with it. I think our 4 year old ended up eating them. Bash

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 7:34 am Post subject:

Caymanx2,

That is TOO funny!!! rolllaugh

Next time, actually punch them out of the wrapper!!! Just kidding-somebody made the mistake of telling me I was humorous so I'm struggling here to maintain that misconception. Laughing

Truthfully though, we've never had any problem-the fish seemed to gather around when we even GO for the food attached to our wrist.

Celine

Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

ROFL@all of this. You are all so funny and everyone here seems so nice. This is a really wonderful place. RedRolling

Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

I don't see anything wrong with feeding them so long as whatever you feed them is not harmful to the fish or the environment. It makes it easier to get really good pictures when there are a lot of fish all over the place.

	Cayman Activity Guide Forum Index -> Diving	Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Next
Page 1 of 6