Exercise For Fish?

[mbsqw1d]

I ve not been able to find much info on this (hardly surprisingly ) but it is something that has managed to bug me for a while now

In terms of water current/flow speed; if i dont have the spray bar attached then theres little flow throughout the water and my fish don't have to do a lot of swimming.

Without the spray bar then my tank is a whirlpool! and my fish require exerting themselves to get around if you see what I mean.

My question: is this exertion important for fish in terms of keeping them fit and healthy? much like ourselves? a daft question but like i said, its been annoying me of late I imagine different fish prefer different strength of water flow, but my fish dont seem to be struggling or bothered and can cope with a stronger current,,,

 

[england]

Some fish prefer strong currents,others prefer slow while some prefer mill pools...in my tank i have a mixture,my dwarf puffers seem to enjoy a pretty steady flow,where my ornatipinnis hate a flow so i have to aim flow down back of tank.

 

[Katty]

Just like in the wild, aquarium fish have been adapted for different types of currents or lack of. I would think to just look up the area or biome the particular fish is from and see what kind of current you'd expect in that area, and see if your own fish prefer to stay in or out of the current most of the time. A fish originating from fast flowing rivers and rapids would probably thrive in a good flow and be able to survive well in it while fish from calm ponds would hate it and over exert themselves.

Fish who prefer calm waters probably get enough exercise for their body type without a current. Fish of rougher waters could probably benefit from a bit of a current, as long as you add a resting place or two.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Just like in the wild, aquarium fish have been adapted for different types of currents or lack of. I would think to just look up the area or biome the particular fish is from and see what kind of current you'd expect in that area, and see if your own fish prefer to stay in or out of the current most of the time. A fish originating from fast flowing rivers and rapids would probably thrive in a good flow and be able to survive well in it while fish from calm ponds would hate it and over exert themselves.

Fish who prefer calm waters probably get enough exercise for their body type without a current. Fish of rougher waters could probably benefit from a bit of a current, as long as you add a resting place or two.

brilliantly put Katty, thanks!

 

[ellena]

Good question! Making me think, do fish ever get overweight? I know overfeeding is bad from a water quality pov, but does it make the fish fatter?
Thinking of fish I buy to eat, can't remember ever seeing fat on one!