Keeping a fish as a pet may not seem as fun or enjoyable as having a dog or cat; however, with the right training, you can also teach a fish to interact with you and do exercises, just like any other pet! Among the breeds that lend themselves best to this type of teaching are the Oscar fish, the red one and the Betta. In particular, the male Betta is usually kept alone in the tank, which makes him the most attentive and the easiest to train.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Teach him to follow your finger
Step 1. Put your finger on the outside of the aquarium next to the fish
The goal is to attract his attention and then reward the animal with food. If he reacts immediately to the movement of his finger, reward him with a few treats; if he doesn't respond promptly, wiggle your finger a little and tap the glass until he notices you.
You can also consider putting your finger inside the tank for the fish to chase after it. However, be careful as some types of fish (including the Betta) tend to bite; so before proceeding do some research on the breed in your possession to avoid taking risks
Step 2. Teach the fish to follow the finger
Move it back and forth the entire length of the aquarium and reward the animal every time it chases it. Teaching him to approach is the first step, but getting him to follow your hand when you move it can be a little more complicated. Move your finger vertically, horizontally, and so on, but don't reward the fish until it learns to chase it.
Step 3. Repeat the training several times and use the rewards method to teach him quickly
The quickest and most effective way is to use food as a reward for his behavior. As you continue the exercises, the fish learns to associate chasing your finger with food. Once he learns that he is being fed for carrying out some of your commands he is able to learn various other tricks.
If you have pelleted food, use that to train the fish instead of the standard food, as it considers it a special treat
Method 2 of 4: Teach him to swim through a circle
Step 1. Get a circle that the fish can cross
You need to get one that is large enough for the animal to swim in easily. If you have a small specimen, you can use an earring or bracelet that is suitable for this purpose; if you want a larger circle, you can make one using a pipe cleaner.
- Make sure you wash it carefully, so that it contains bacteria or other substances that could upset the balance of the aquarium.
- If you are uncomfortable with putting your hand in the tub, tie the circle to a string or stick.
- At first use a larger circle to make the exercise easier for the fish.
Step 2. Put the ring in the water
You need to place it perpendicular to a tank wall and close to it, so that it is easier for you to guide the fish across the circumference. The animal may immediately take an interest in the circle or it may simply ignore it.
Step 3. Have him follow your finger through the ring
For this trick it is useful to teach him to chase your finger first; simply move it along the wall of the tub so that it follows it; then bring it closer to the area of the aquarium where the circle is present and at this point the fish should cross it. For him to learn this exercise, it may take a few tries, but he will eventually make it.
Step 4. Reward him with a treat every time he swims through the ring
In this way he understands that crossing the circle allows him to obtain food; train him to do this exercise every day so that he gets to do it correctly.
- When it can pass through a large ring, reduce the diameter of the ring to make the game more difficult.
- To perform a more spectacular exercise, start adding more circles for the fish to swim through.
- Read this article if you'd like more detailed instructions and other tips for teaching your little friend to swim through hoops.
Method 3 of 4: Create an Obstacle Course
Step 1. Enter an obstacle course in the aquarium
To do this, use circles, arches, plants, and so on. Once learned to traverse a ring, the fish should be able to swim through and around any other element as long as you guide it. Be patient as you teach him this exercise, as it may take some time.
Step 2. Use your finger or a treat to show him the path to follow
After teaching him to chase your finger, it shouldn't be difficult to train him to do so even through an obstacle course. Start with something simple and make it more and more difficult as you start learning how to overcome various obstacles.
Instead of his finger, he starts putting a food reward on a rope or hook to stimulate him to reach it. If you want the fish to start circling the entire aquarium, it can be difficult at some point to use your finger to guide them; however, make sure the fish does not reach the morsel until it has completed all the way
Step 3. Once the circuit is complete, reward him with some tasty food
Just like with all other exercises, positive reinforcement helps him learn quickly. Offer him a treat every time he completes the circuit; if you hung one on the hook, be sure to remove it before giving it to the fish.
Method 4 of 4: Teach him to jump
Step 1. Feed him with your hand every day
In this way, he learns to associate your hand with food. Make this practice a normal daily routine so the fish becomes familiar with your extremities and knows what to expect when feeding time approaches; with this technique he also learns to trust you.
Step 2. Train him to swim on the surface of the water to eat
To start, get her attention by placing your fingertip in the water. This should convince him to swim to the surface. However, if you do not succeed in your intent, keep some treats between your fingers and put them in the water; However, avoid releasing food, as you do not have to feed him until he has completed the exercise.
Step 3. Hold the treat just above the surface of the water
Once her attention is drawn, swing some food just above the water level; if the fish does not immediately jump to reach it, you will have to encourage it a little. Put your fingertips with the morsel in the water and take them out as soon as the fish approaches; that way, he should be encouraged to jump outside to eat.
Step 4. Reward him with a few more treats once the exercise is done correctly
This positive reinforcement teaches him that jumping out of the water can get an additional reward, instead of the usual regular food.
