Taking Fish Pictures

[redfan]

Hi,

Just wanted to clear something up in my head really. I often see pictures in the forum and in the CAT-E Log profile pages where pictures are of a fish in a hand.

Is this a safe way to take a picture of a fish? Or more to the point, Can one remove a fish from a tank to put into hand and then take a picture without much ill affect to the fish?

Interested as have been asked many times for pictures of fish that are tricky to photo while in the tank.

Many thanks

[MatsP]

Yes, as long as the fish is:
1. Kept wet.
2. Not out of the water for too long.

It obviously depends on the type of the fish for HOW long they survive out of water, but even the more sensitive ones will survive quite a few minutes. I wouldn't recommend you take the fish out of the tank, and then figure that you need to charge the batteries for an hour, however...

--
Mats

[redfan]

Ok thanks Mats .. yeah will ensure the batteries are charged lol .. assuming your release back into the tank as you would a fish caught on a line .. using your palm to hold it up if required.

Its not something I am intending doing any time soon, but was interested.

Cheers

[MatsP]

Another thing that I find works really well is to use a small tank (show tank, photo tank) that is just about big enough to hold the fish), and put the fish in that tank.

The small plastic containers for transporting pet animals, live insects and such things are OK (and cheap). Show tanks for fish-shows are better (because they are made from glass, which is optically better).

And you have plenty of time when you do this, the fish will be fine for hours in a small tank [as long as it doesn't jump out or some such!]

--
Mats

[Jools]

And also that your hands are wet. Touching a fish with dry hands can do some temporary damage.

Jools

[apistomaster]

I use a small home made all glass photo tank with an inside sheet of glass to keep the fish within a narrow zone since you lose depth of field and have less control in a home tank. I ofter do handle plecos by hand during bagging for shipments but my hands are wet and I use a gentle touch. This photo tank method has some drawbacks because the frightened fish lodge into the tighter spaces as you can see in this photo of juvenile L333.
Click on the photo to see a couple crammed plecos sandwiched between the movable and front glass.

[scrup]

Never pulled fish out just for pictures, but I do move some of them by hand. I usually cradle them, as opposed to gripping them if that makes any sense. Also make sure your hands are clean, but you don't have soap residue obviously. Skin oils can leave marks on fish that will last a while.

[racoll]

Picking up a catfish out of water would be my last option, for several reasons ...

1) fish can be remarkably strong and slippery, so could easily flip out of your hand and hit the floor, end up behind the tank, under the tank, or in any number of undesirable places.

2) many catfishes are venomous (see here) or can pack a sharp spine.

3) out-of-water pictures are usually crappy anyway

Better off getting a photo tank set up. Doesn't have to be elaborate. I use a clear plastic box from old fridge door.