Can fish tell the difference between different people?

Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
1,444
Reaction score
2,486
Location
Purlear, NC
Hardiness Zone
7a
Country
United States
I don't know for sure, but my fish react differently to us than they do to other people that they don't see as often. They tend to follow my husband & myself from end to end of the pond when we're walking around, begging for a snack, but they don't do this to the same extent with friends we have over.
 

mrsclem

mrsclem
Joined
Jul 21, 2008
Messages
5,351
Reaction score
4,810
Location
st. mary's county, md.
Hardiness Zone
7A
Country
United States
Mine do- hubby spends very little time by the pond and almost never feeds the fish. When I'm down there, they follow me like hungry puppies. If he comes down, its to the far side of the pond or down to the bottom.Who knew??
 
Joined
May 21, 2018
Messages
1,228
Reaction score
904
Location
Florida
Country
United States
I wonder if the fish in our know when my husband is the one feeding them versus when I do.
Yes. I have three fish who certainly demonstrate the ability to identify. One is a goldfish in a small garden pond that runs from strangers but approaches family and lets them pet it. Another is a Betta living in a 150-gallon indoor pond. It too will let family pet and hand feed but it runs from strangers. The other fish is my Archerfish (picture to the left) which is clearly the smartest fish I've ever encountered. The Archerfish is highly intelligent. In 14-years of serving as its concierge, it continues to amaze me with its brilliance. Some of the other fish I keep are more nonchalant about life. Show them food and they come running regardless of the situation or who's feeding them.
 
Joined
May 21, 2018
Messages
1,228
Reaction score
904
Location
Florida
Country
United States
Oh yeah, I have some fish that are so lackadaisical they would take a worm dangled by a Blue Heron. But three of them are clearly 'Mensa' material.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
30,782
Messages
508,588
Members
13,042
Latest member
lucaryan

Latest Threads

Top