FISH TRICKS

Learn how to perform these impressive tank aquabatics with your fish

1 FINGER FOLLOWING

The first step of any trick is to get the attention of your pet – in this case placing your finger in their eyeline on the outside of the tank will work. If the fish appears not to notice it, move your finger about. As soon as it acknowledges your finger, reward the fish with food instantly. Once it comes back to your finger, use the same technique while moving your finger along the tank. As soon as it successfully follows the finger, give the fish some food.

2 AIR JUMP

Before attempting this trick, try feeding your fish by hand inside the tank so it will learn to trust your hand. Once your fish clearly makes this association, begin testing out a jump. Hold the food above the water instead of in the water until the fish notices. Place your fingers at the surface of the water, and when the fish swims close, pull up your hand away from it. Only when the fish successfully follows the food up into the air should you award it with food.

3 SWIM THROUGH HOOPS

Using a clean hoop that’s wide enough for your fish to fit through, tie a fresh piece of string to the top of it and dangle the hoop into the water. Make sure you are holding the hoop side-on to the edge of the glass and use the finger following trick to guide the fish through the hoop. After multiple successes, you can create hoop obstacle courses and introduce smaller and more challenging targets for your fish to swim through.

4 OBSTACLE COURSE

If you think you’ve mastered single tricks, why not combine them? This can only be done when your fish has tried other tricks and knows its efforts will be rewarded. Using hoops, arches and other tank decorations, create an interesting course at the bottom of the tank. Instead of using a finger, attach a piece of food to the end of a stick and guide your fish along the route. If it only manages part of the course, start with a smaller one and work your way up to the full routine.