Laser Pointers And Your Fish

[Snick]

I have currently been playing around with a laser pointer, and i have noticed that when i point it on one fof the rocks in my aquariums my fish immediately swim towards it like if it was a really tasty snack (at least my parrot cichlid and my red eyed tetras do). why is this? is it harmful? (I do not point it on any fish btw)

 

[moeldner]

I have done this once or twice with my tank (careful not to point it at the fish). I can get all my cardinals following it around the front of the tank

I found this out by accident when playing with my cats - they go a little crazy when the laser pointer comes out.

Don't know why this is though, but I too would like to know.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

maybe because it looks like food and it stands out

 

[Snick]

yeah its pretty weird the same happened with my dog... it probably chases it because it looks like some sort of bug, and then the fish might chase it because it looks like food??? i guess we will never know.

 

[Sheridanp]

My cats go crazy. You should see my golden retriever chase it around, it's so big it looks hilarious.

 

[lisa_perry75]

I know a rescue dog that is blind as some children shined them laser pointers in his eyes until he went blind so please go careful, stevie (the greyhound) wishes laser pointers never went near him....

Not a guilt trip, just a warning how dangerous these things are

 

[fishfishfish]

i love doing this to my malawi.they all go crazy chasing it.my S shoutentendini has recently joined in.its funny to take a small herd of fish all around my tank.

 

[moeldner]

I have actually stopped doing it in my tank as I have no idea how the water reflects the laser light. I don't want to inadvertantly blind a fish just for my own amusement.

I have noticed that the water will refract the laser fairly uniformaly, but I don't know where the light reflets too off the gravel/back of the tank, so in the interests of safety, I only play with the cats with it now.

 

[Snick]

smart, thanks for that crucial info!

 

[Talz]

I know the colour red really stands out to alot of differnt creatures... mind you fish dont see colour do they?

 

[Bignose]

I know the colour red really stands out to alot of differnt creatures... mind you fish dont see colour do they?

Fish do see in color, see this recent thread. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=141697&hl=

Re laser light, I would suspect that if a giant light came out of the sky and traced out patterns on the earth, there would be quite a few people who would be following it around and trying to figure out what it means. That said, it is quite entertaining for all the pets.

 

[demonmagus]

lol, us humans would probably run away

 

[Talz]

lol, us humans would probably run away

I agree, people tend to freak out about things they dont understand

 

[Torrean]

I can't believe noone has talked about this. The first..and only...time I shined a laser light into a fish tank it was crazy. The light hit the back glass reflected back to the front glass and then reflected back to the back glass. It bounced back and forth over and over and over until it hit a plant or ornament. It was really wild.

 

[Talz]

I can't believe noone has talked about this. The first..and only...time I shined a laser light into a fish tank it was crazy. The light hit the back glass reflected back to the front glass and then reflected back to the back glass. It bounced back and forth over and over and over until it hit a plant or ornament. It was really wild.

Sounds like some craziness