Fish tank with cat?

[Mr_Geek]

Originally Posted by =^..^=

Of course, or they wouldn't flee from predators.

Is that feeling or instinct?

[andthentherewere3]

I have several fish tanks, and a couple of our cats love to hop up on the canopy and drink the water. The fish don't seem to mind, they just go about their business. If anything they seem eager, like they are waiting for food to suddenly appear. My cats don't try to catch the fish at all. Just be sure the canopy is tight fighting. Some will rest inside the lip of the tank, others can be a little loose. A couple of my lights just rest on top of the glass canopy and I had to duct tape them so they wouldn't slide----one of the cats once jumped up and knocked the light onto the floor, that was very dramatic and potentially dangerous, good thing I happened to be right there.

[=^..^=]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

Is that feeling or instinct?

Maybe a little of both. But if there was no "fear" there would be no reason to flee a predator. Just watch the frantic actions of a fish when dropped into a strange aquarium. If there are hiding places, most will hide until they feel safe and more secure... that nothing there is going to attack them.

And some, bred in captivity for centuries, like koi and goldfish, show little fear.

[foxywench]

my cats (and dogs) love the kitty tv (a 75 gallon fish tank in the livingroom)
the cats also LOVE the heat from the lights, they frequently sit onto of the tank snuggled next to the light fixtures...this is why a secure lid is a must...

i wouldnt go smaller than a 10 gallon, not only because of stability but because anythign smaller than a 10 gallon is useless for anything other than a betta fish lol

i would go for a proper tight fitting hood (not the glass covers but a well fitted hood and light) if you cant get a tight hood buy one of the wire tank covers form the reptile isle and sit your lightstrip ontop of that. and a SOLID stable stand (or on a serious desk ect...not on of those flimsy looking mettal stands...

on the "mean to the fish" aspect...ive never had any issues and ive always kept fish and always had cats. when introduced to a new tank fish will bolt and hide, but once theyve settled...
I make sure my tanks are filled with lots of hiding places, but ill be honest when i say the fish dont seem to bother...ive had fish that actually CHASE the cats and dogs when they paw or sniff at the tank lol.
my dominant angelfish will chase, my other fish tend to ignore the animals...they know there safe in thier big glass box

[Gummifuzz]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

Can fish feel fear?

Well, my fish manage to make my cats feel fear...I have a very aggressive clown fish that once bit my youngest cat (6 months at the time). I had been doing a water change on the reef tank and he decided to peer in...not even pawing at anything and Spanky leaped out of the water and got him on the nose!

Said kitten 5 months later steers clear of my tanks, even the freshwater ones.


So no, my fish do not feel fear.

If you get an oscar or other predatory fish (or just a very pissy percula clownfish) then...well...you might not need to worry quite as much. Regardless, a tightly fitting lid is essential for any tank.