Alastair
Suspended / Banned
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The specific problem with many fish is that they have a hard-wired escape response. When triggered (e.g. tap on the aquarium glass) the fish bend away from the respoonse and accelerate rapidly. With skittish fishes this can result in them injuring themselves when they run up against the opposite wall of the tank.
Most aquarium species seem to be ok with flash when used sensibly and as long as they have become well habituated to the tank, being fed by hand and general human presence/movement in front of the tank.
The biggest problem is probably not the flash itself, but poor design/layout of the aquarium with not enough shelter to make the fishes feel comfortable and leaving them permantly stressed and highly-strung. This is very often the case with UK public aquaria because sheltered, planted tanks require much more maintenance and attention to keep looking presentable.
Most aquarium species seem to be ok with flash when used sensibly and as long as they have become well habituated to the tank, being fed by hand and general human presence/movement in front of the tank.
The biggest problem is probably not the flash itself, but poor design/layout of the aquarium with not enough shelter to make the fishes feel comfortable and leaving them permantly stressed and highly-strung. This is very often the case with UK public aquaria because sheltered, planted tanks require much more maintenance and attention to keep looking presentable.