Q: Following a recent bereavement we would like to know why fish jump out of small aquariums.
A: Fish jumping out of small tanks is quite a common problem for enthusiasts, and is the reason why some owners choose to have a glass cover on the top of their aquarium.
There are several theories as to why fish might jump from a small aquarium. It has been suggested that one reason fish leap from the water is that in the wild they use this method to attempt to rid themselves of ectoparasites.
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Although the questioners did not mention the gender and species mix of the fish in their aquarium, it is possible that their fish could have been leaping to avoid predators or unpleasant interactions with other creatures, or even to show off to their conspecific fish, in some previously unknown courtship or territorial ritual.
In the meantime, my sincere condolences for your loss.
A: To captive fish, the air on the other side of the aquarium glass looks like water. And in fish lore, the water is always cleaner on the other side.