Unlike dog and cat owners, fish owners have their fish come running and wagging the tail when you return. Fish can neither make a sound and say “I love you” nor run around the house and ask for food. Even when you spend a day playing with your fish, they just swim back and forth in their little bowl.
So, fish owners, do you ever wonder if your fish love you or not?
If you ever questioned that, check out this article. In this post, we will tell you some interesting facts about your fish, and the answer for “can fish love their owners?”.
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Do fish even recognize their owners?
Do you notice that when you sit next to the fish bowl, your fish will swim closer to you? Do you think that is just a coincidence? Or is it simply because the fish see something approaching?
A fish can actually recognize their owner’s face and memorize it.
Firstly, your fish has a high level of vision. A study in animal behaviour shows that fish can recognize a face from different angles. Even though identifying a three-dimensional is a difficult and complex task for both humans and computers, your fish with a smaller and different machinery brain from humans, has the ability to complete it. This ability of your fish is an essential skill for foraging and avoiding the hunters.
Secondly, not only recognize a face in different angles, your little fish can also remember and distinguish faces. Contrary to a common myth about the three-second memory of golden fish, researchers prove that fish really have a long-term memory.
A fish can learn their way to escape from a net, memorize it for a long time, and they even improve the time they escape the net. The same goes for fish remembering and distinguishing faces. When showing them different strange faces, sometimes up to 44 faces, an archerfish can recognize a familiar face nearly 84% of the time.
To sum up, if you have a fish and spend time with it regularly, it is certain that your finned friends will recognize who you are.
Are fish intelligent?
Dolphins are known as intelligent animals. Their intelligence is due to their cerebrum weighing up to 1500 gram. It is heavier compared to humans. So how smart is your little cutie fish at home?
Your finned friends are much more intelligent than you think, there are much evidence for this. Through experiments, researchers noticed that fish have an ability of learning and have a long-term memory. They can learn an escape route within more than one hour, and then remember it in a long time.
Fish can also remember the location surrounding and time, such as when and where they will be fed.
Another study shows that a waress fish has an awareness of itself in the mirrors. They try to remove the marks on their body after seeing it in the mirror. Others show that fish experience pain and they are able to use tools. Some fish use small rocks to build their “house” or to carry their eggs around.
You can see that your finned friend is truly smart by observing them closely. And don’t worry that your fish would get confused when you change some things in their tank. They will get used to it quickly, because they are smart.
Do fish show emotion?
Fish are emotional beings. They can feel pain, fear, stress and love.
Pain and fear are the natural feelings of animals. They need to be aware and avoid the danger or get ready to protect themselves. For example, when a fish is trapped in a net or being chased by something, they will try to find a way to escape. The behaviours of responding to the stimulating element show that fish are aware of the danger and they do feel fear of it. When a fish have to face dangers, substances that help relieve pain are produced in their pain. This is similar with other species when they feel pain. And it will be meaningless if a fish can’t feel the pain.
The fish can also feel stress. Fish has the same sophisticated social life as ours. They have friends and enemies, things they like and things they don’t like. Therefore, they can be stressed and depressed as humans do. If suddenly one day you see your fish swim strangely or they don’t eat anything, you should check if your little finned friend is fine or not.
People say love is in the air, and it is also in the water because the fish can fall in love to. If you separate two fish that are in love with each other, they can be sad and stressed.
Do fish love their owner?
Based on the information mentioned before, fish can love their owner. But this not only depends on the fish, but also on the owners. It is similar with a dog or a cat, or even with a person, you can’t gain their love if you treat them badly.
For example: If you keep dropping rocks or something that would cause danger into the tank, your fish will surely don’t like you. They will try to hide from you. And if you play with them in the right way, feed them delicious food or put into the tank something or “someone” they like, your fish will have a better thought of you.
If you want to know whether your fish do love you or not, pay attention to their behaviours. If you walk into the room and the fish don’t hide from you, this means they trust and feel safe with you. And if you stand near to the tank, your fish will reach to you itself if they really love you. We have heard a lot about dolphins helping humans, your little fish may not be able to help you with the housework, but they can respond to your gestures. That’s the way they show their friendliness and love to us.
How to make fish remember you and bond with you
A home fish depends on food supplies and protection from the owners. Making a safe and comfortable environment for your fish is the best way to make them remember and bond with you. Here are the things you need to pay attention to:
Width
Every living creature loves freedom, and so does your fish. Choosing an aquarium that large enough for your fish is better than choosing a small tank but fit in some corner in your house.
Temperature
Temperature is a really important factorial for your fish health. Suitable temperature for your finned friend is about 25 – 28C. They can still survive in a 30C tank, but it will harm their health.
Feed
It is very easy to buy food for your fish. So what you should do is to feed them just enough, so that the leftover won’t contaminate the water. And try to feed them at a proper time. This can help your fish healthier and your fish won’t be starving for hours.
Play
Gently put your finger into the water and pet the fish. They may feel fear at first. But after a few times, they will get used to it and reach you themself . And then you can even hold the fish in your hands. In this way, you can gain more love from your fish and you will make a stronger bond together.
FAQs
Do fish like being petted?
Yes they do. Some fish really like to be petted by their owners. This can make them feel love and protection from the owners. You can also understand more about your fish and have a relaxing time playing with them.
Do fish like bubbles?
Many fish like bubbles. This thing not only entertains the fish, it also provides oxygen and gets rid of the smell in the water. But there are some fish that don’t really like it. Before you put some bubblers in the tank, don’t forget to find out what the fish hobbies are.
Do fish like to be touched?
Some fish are comfortable with being touched, and some don’t. If you pet your fish too many times or you don’t wash your hands before petting them, your fish would feel that annoying.
Which is the most friendly fish?
Betta fish is the most friendly fish that you are looking for. They love interacting with the owners. They will swim to your hands and between your fingers. But do not try to touch them too much, it will harm the fish.
To sum up!
Now that you know your fish do love you. They just have a special way to express their emotions. You can gain more love from the fish by spending your time with them and find out what they like and don’t like. I hope this article provided you with some useful information.
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See also:
How to Grow a Bond With Your Betta Fish
