Petting Oscars

[Chrisv32]

I have heard before of people actually petting, or rubbing down the side of their oscars. They said that the oscars seemed to like it. Does anyone here have oscars that they pet? Is it safe for them? Would you have to wash your hands first or do anything else?

 

[Synirr]

My oscar has let me pet him a couple of times, though I don't make a habit of it just because he has this "wtf are you doing? " expression when I do it
I think it's safe for them, providing that you don't have any hand lotion or perfumes on you. If you do, just wash your hands beforehand

 

[Weaver]

At the aquarium the rays were at the surface getting petted all the time so if it didnt harm them I reckon it wouldnt be a problem to an oscar .Id make sure my hands were clean though God only knows what was on the hands of the general public at the aquarium

 

[Fella]

Only thing I worry about when I'm petting my weather loaches ( ) is that I dont scratch them. If I take any of their delicate slime coat off, they're open to infection and illness. So I guess the same would apply to oscars!

 

[juanveldez]

I pet my midas all the time I take off my wedding band first though, other than that just make sure that your hands are clean before doing it, it is also something that the fish has to get used to so if they don't want you to do it right away no sense in stressing them out. just work a little bit everyday with them offer them treats to come to the surface of the water and put your hand in the tank on the other end just so that they get used to your hand in there when you aren't doing something