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Well, I'll soon be totally relaxed, unstressed, and happy. I have images of watching my fish swim gracefully and colorfully around the tank, through the plants and driftwood, and around my tacky treasure chest (Look out! The chest lid is closing!). I can see the fish stop every so often and look at me being totally relaxed, and I expect that that would make their life less stressful. Well, maybe, but it turns out that "fish stress" isn't treated in exactly that manner.
Actually the best cure for fish stress is to eliminate the causes before the fish can become stressed. (What a unique idea! Could be a bigger lesson here!)
The same things that cause our stress also cause the fish to stress-out. Living conditions (ammonia, chlorine, nitrites, temperature, type of water, pH levels): physical personal space (some like a lot of space, some don't); companionship (there are those that want it, and those that don't); good clean air (enough clean oxygen); poor diet (should have a healthy, varied diet); medications (don't use unless absolutely necessary, and then understand all the side effects); aggressive fish in the tank; and sudden changes (in the water, temperature, tank location, etc.)
So if I don't want any more stress added to my life I need to prevent the stress from happening to my little swimmers. I can do that by properly maintaining and testing their environment.
So to make sure I'm OK, I'll make sure they're OK. If I see them not eating or always hiding, if I notice injuries, or if they stay near the surface for air, I'll do all I can to find the cause and relieve the stress.
They don't lick my face or sit in my lap, but they just let me watch them gracefully enjoy their life. One of the best stress management exercises available!
And finally, Fish In A Nut Shell. Go back to the start at Let's Get Some Fish!
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