Cats and reef tanks

[Allmost]

Hello all,
I know a strange question, but I didnt have any one else to ask this mods. please move the thread if needed. thank you

so I have 3 reef tanks and 1 FOWLR tank, all open top. all have sumps under neat.

I am about to get 3 little kittens. they are really young now, but in general, I wanted to know if ppl who have cats ever have problem with aquarium and cat ? should I cover the top ? is it possible for the cat to go for the fish ?

thank you for all your comments. any help is greatly appreciated.

on a funny note, I used to have a jack russel dog who used to follow fishes in the tank and try to bite them and hit the glass, it was quite entertaining he never went for them from the top though, he just watched and tried to go through the glass

 

[Korrine]

I had a cat that used to drink out of my cichlid tank! haha

Kittens are unpredictable, though. They can also be a bit clumsy. Might be best to cover your tanks. Would probably drown if they fell in unless they could hold themselves above water on your live rock

 

[spieszak]

My cats love staring at the fish, and they will paw at the outside glass, but they haven't tried to go in top down, and I have enough stuff around that they could easily climb to do so.

 

[mille239]

We have 3 cats (and two dogs) and though two of our cats could care less about the reef, the third is fascinated with it. He would walk around the edge of the sump (if I left the doors open, and has even jumped into the display from the ground when I left the canopy open (Guess he thought there was some sort of top on it.... guess again kitty. Don't know who was more suprised, the fish or him!

there's a pic of him near the bottom of this page on my thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1290321&page=8

 

[Sk8r]

My Siamese and Siamese cross couldn't care less. They don't believe the fish are any more real than the television. You may get the occasional curious cat, but one foot into salt water (they always test) and having to lick it clean (they will) generally convinces them it's Not Drinkable. I've seen one UTube of a cat that took a bath, but no fish suffered, and the cat, I assure you, will be a fast learner.

 

[corbett_n]

mine loves feeding time and they beg me to turn on the lights

 

[Allmost]

Thank you guys for all the replies great help, and its easing my mind now

mille239 you have a beautiful cat I love the pic of him by the reef tank

Sk8r that makes great sense ! thank you. Im more woried about the sump, but no fish in there, so I dont think the cat would have any interest in it.

spieszak and Korrine thank you guys


will have to see how they react to the tanks and I will try to keep the sump doors closed for the most part. thanks again guys

 

[dmarkham]

The only problem I have with the kids' cat is at feeding time. I have to fight with him to leave the food alone while I am getting it ready. I guess he likes the smell of it.

 

[sjmantis]

Mine will peer in the top, I always have a cover on though if Im not there.

 

[scbrooks87]

I have 2 cats, neither of them even think of the tank as much more than furnature, they do like to try and get behind the stand though...

If I have the doors open, I'll occasionally see one with it's paws on the rim looking in the sump, but there really isnt much for the cat to get in trouble with there.

-Scott

 

[Saltfun2003]

we have 4 cats and only one really bugs the tank at all. Ended up putting double sided tape around the rim of the tank to keep her from walking ontop.

 

[Allmost]

HAhahah, Salt fun, that's an amazing pic !!

my GF is having a blast with all the cat pictures with reef tanks (she is making me get cats )

 

[chase01]

I wouldn't worry too much- if a kitten does go swimming they are pretty adept at extricating themselves from awkward situations. My cross-eyed special kitty took a bath in my ATO water- Once.

 

[puggsli1]

My cat was very curious when first added my clown fish to qt. He then decided to jump on my back while I was leaning over the tank and the next thing i know the cat is in the tank. Water went all over the place window, floor, cabinet, and ceiling. Now the cat wont even look at the tank or the fish. I don't think he liked the taste of salt water all over his fur, but it was funny.

 

[seafd]

I have two cats and one loves to dip her paw in the tank and splash water all over the walls... She never hurts the tank, just makes a mess. With kittens I would be more worried about them falling/jumping in the tank. Just remember that famous line, "Curiosity killed the cat"!!! I would cover the tank at least until they get older and stop exploring so much.

 

[Camel413]

Guess my cat is the odd ball. Every time I have the door open to the sump she is right there drinking the water. I dont think she actually likes it though. She drinks a bit then acts all funny then tries again.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

I LOVE the pic above!! What great balance!! Most cats are terrified of water (besides drinking it). One accidental slip in the tank & I assure you it'll be the last time they try it. *I think*

 

[Agu]

I guess my friends cat was smarter than the average RC cat.

He kept losing fish that "disappeared" and couldn't figure it out. One day while I was over the mystery was resolved. His cat would "attack" the tank by charging the front glass. Then it would saunter around to the back of the stand to dine lavishly on whatever it managed to scare into jumping out of the tank.

 

[Rybren]

He kept losing fish that "disappeared" and couldn't figure it out. One day while I was over the mystery was resolved. His cat would "attack" the tank by charging the front glass. Then it would saunter around to the back of the stand to dine lavishly on whatever it managed to scare into jumping out of the tank.

Smart cat!

I don't think that my cat even knows that I have a tank. It does, however, know that we have several toilets that can serve as water fountains.

Back when I had a garden pond, the cat would drink from it on a regular basis. The koi and goldfish would swim up to the cat and they'd 'kiss'

 

[mallorieGgator]

My cats show little to no interest in the tank.