keeping fish and playing musical instruments in the same room

[nuri_pppp]

can i do this or will it stress the fish?

 

[gwand]

Avoid heavy metal. Try Mozart piano sonatas.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Avoid heavy metal. Try Mozart piano sonatas.

Beethoven piano sonatas are right out, however.

I'm not aware of any actual research on this, so I'm only guessing. There is a lot of music in my house, and I haven't observed any signs of distress in the fish. As long as you aren't blasting Metallica 24/7 or hosting the local marching band in your living room, your fish will probably be OK.

 

[Archerfish]

You mentioned musical instruments rather than music. Piano and acoustic stringed instruments should not be any problem. The fish might not appreciate acoustic drums and crashing cymbals though. Just use your judgment. Softly played brass or low volume electric guitar might be fine. Loud pounding and low sonic (like an electric bass) might affect the fish.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Well, despite being ancient, many years ago I was a partner in a sound company and we did live concerts mostly rock. I often did the out front mix but also occasionally the onstage monitor mix. Thevolue was loaud and that is how I like my music. I only have 3 tanks left in my bedroom now, but it was 9 at the peak. I play music loud and I have ever since my first tank and well before. The fish do not seem to mind.

My PC doubles as my stereo and has Klipsch speakers with a bass box as well. I have a digital equalizer. Back in the 1970s they were called graphic equalizers because they had slider for the various frequency rages and, when set, the levels looked like a wave a graph.

edited to change 1950 to 1970

 

[GaryE]

Bass is a problem for bass.

Seriously - fish will be affected by deep sounds, and abrupt, crashing noises. They have an exposed lateral line used to detect movement in the water, and it's part of what makes killing them with dynamite so effective at long range.

I have a great love for old school roots reggae, and especially dub, a bass and drum music style of bygone years. I have always avoided playing that music through a good system around my tanks. Through a garbage system, it's fine.

So it depends on what you play and how loud, as well as how many deep sounds are involved.

 

[Magnum Man]

several of mine seem to like the music, I'm old now, so I don't do anything that makes my ears bleed any more, but I've even witnessed them seeming to swim to the beat...

 

[lottabubbles]

none of my fish are bothered by Red Rider's Lunatic Fringe cranked way up.

 

[nuri_pppp]

Bass is a problem for bass.

Seriously - fish will be affected by deep sounds, and abrupt, crashing noises. They have an exposed lateral line used to detect movement in the water, and it's part of what makes killing them with dynamite so effective at long range.

I have a great love for old school roots reggae, and especially dub, a bass and drum music style of bygone years. I have always avoided playing that music through a good system around my tanks. Through a garbage system, it's fine.

So it depends on what you play and how loud, as well as how many deep sounds are involved.

i play violin with quite loud high projection string (solo string) with no wall lining

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I think that even a loud violin wouldn't bother your fish. Might be worth investing in some hearing pro for yourself, though, if you haven't already. Practice away!

 

[gwand]

Avoid the drum solo of In-a-Gadda-Di-Vida at all costs.

 

[lottabubbles]

i play violin with quite loud high projection string (solo string) with no wall lining

since you play the violin, can you tell the difference between a tune played using a synthetic bow strings compared to the natural with rosin?
I know I have high frequency hearing loss but I just can't tell a difference.

 

[Archerfish]

i play violin with quite loud high projection string (solo string) with no wall lining

That's what I was thinking that your question was about musical instruments rather than stereo music. I think you will be okay even with your violin. Yeah, a violin can be one of the louder instruments. Right up there with an acoustic piano or flute. Do you play so loud that you need to wear ear protection or do your neighbors complain?