Re: Does a goldfish react to changes occuring out of the tank the same as in?

Diana,

This is a great question.  I've been rearing fish for nearly a decade now 
and in my experience, they are much more attuned to changes in their 
environments than we think.

What many people don't know is that fish have eyesight that is about as 
good as that of a human.  So, they can certainly perceive visual 
changes.  When someone walks into my laboratory, my fish can actually 
tell if it is me or a stranger.  They rush to the front of the tank for 
me (expecting food, of course) whereas they cower at the back of the tank 
when anyone else comes into the room.

Fish also have a good sense of hearing.  So, noises can be stressful for 
them as well.

With regard to what you are wanting to do - moving stuff around in the 
room outside the tank - I don't think you need to worry too much.  You 
may find that for the first few days or so that the fish seem a little 
more skittish.  But I doubt it would be much longer than that.  
Rearranging their actual physical environment (gravel) would be much more 
stressful as they will have gotten used to the "terrain" in the tank.

Hope this was helpful!

Thanks for your question.

Sue