Can Fish Understand English?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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But, can fish understand human language? Sadly, no.

There has been no evidence to prove that fish can remotely decipher the human language

. They may recognize human faces and actions but not understand a word of what is being verbally told.

Do fish like to be talked to?


Yes and no

, according to fishing pro Tom Redington. Since sound doesn't travel well between air and water, loud talking or screaming will be barely noticeable to the fish underwater. They won't get spooked or scared.

How do you talk to a fish?

Do fish understand humans?

Summary:

A species of tropical fish has been shown to be able to distinguish between human faces

. It is the first time fish have demonstrated this ability. A species of tropical fish has been shown to be able to distinguish between human faces.

Can fish hear you talking?

However,

yes, they can hear your voice

.

They just know someone is speaking. They can associate sounds with action, though. For example, if you are to say your betta fish's name – let us call him George – each time you sprinkle food in his aquarium, he will eventually associate the sound of “George” with food.

Do fish like music?

If you've ever thought that your goldfish can't hear or won't respond to the music that you blast in your room, it's time to think again. Though few people know this,

all fish respond to sound

, and several recent studies have shown that fish can even tell the difference between genres of music and composers.

Can a fish love you?

Betta Fish Bonding With Their Owner


Betta fish may not “love” their owners in the way that a dog or cat would show affection

, but they will show a clear interest and affiliation with their owners.

Do fishes fart?

Biologists have linked a mysterious, underwater farting sound to bubbles coming out of a herring's anus. No fish had been known to emit sound from its anus nor to be capable of producing such a high-pitched noise.

How do fish see humans?

Besides being able to see their prey and recognize their owners,

fish also can see a range of colors, since they have color receptors in their eyes

. Many species of fish can also see ultraviolet light, which humans can't.

Do fish like to be petted?

“It is a basic characteristic of animal behavior that animals will approach desirable things and retreat from undesirable ones,” he said, adding that

the fish “appears to like the touch because s/he swims back to the hand repeatedly.”

Do fish get bored?

Just like any other pet,

fish can become bored, too

. And while they won't chew up your shoes, keeping them occupied will ensure they live a healthier life.

What are fish afraid of?

Fish are scared of

their own reflection

and try to fight themselves when they look at a mirror, a new study has revealed. They become even more frightened when they see their reflection making the same moves as them and appearing to fight back, found researchers.

Why do my fish stare at me?

The simple explanation to this question is that

they think they are being fed

! They are staring at you because they are anticipating a meal. Spending more time with your betta will allow you to understand their behavior better and determine whether they are hungry or just bored and want attention.

Do fish feel sad when other fish dies?


No, fish do not get “sad” if another fish dies

. Fish do have a brain that is capable of some type of “emotion” but not to the extent that humans feel. They don't feel anything like sadness, but may feel something to a smaller extent.

Are fish intelligent?



Fish are more intelligent than they appear

. In many areas, such as memory, their cognitive powers match or exceed those of ‘higher' vertebrates including non-human primates.” Fish's long-term memories help them keep track of complex social relationships.

Do boats scare fish?

Engine Noise


Engines scare fish

. But all engines are not equally noisy. The biggest offenders are two-stroke outboards. Particularly when in neutral, they create a real racket.

Do fish feel emotional pain?

Summary:

Fish do not feel pain the way humans do

, according to a team of neurobiologists, behavioral ecologists and fishery scientists. The researchers conclude that fish do not have the neuro-physiological capacity for a conscious awareness of pain.

Can fish respond to their name?

Unlike a dog,

fish probably won't respond to their names

. You'll have to tap the glass to call your fish rather than using the name you give them.

Do fish like light?

Unlike plants,

fish do not have a biological need for light

, so they require less. Natural sunlight at noon has a rating of 5500 Kelvin.

Can fish see in dark?


Most fish can see in the dark due to evolved cone cells in fish eyes

. But still, you must turn off the aquarium light for at least 12 hours to give fish time to rest. Some fish can see in the dark better than others because of differences in the number of cones present in each fish species.

Can fish play with toys?

Fish are playful pets. They like to chase each other for fun and hide behind aquatic plants. Sometimes, they serenely glide through the water or play with aquarium toys.

Yes, toys!

How do you play with fish?

With patience and a little persistence, you can teach him to do things like

follow your finger, eat from your hand, swim through a hoop, play soccer, and even jump out of the water or come up to be petted

. Fish food is the best reinforcement for desired behavior.

Can you train fish?

The simple answer: yes. But what is the best method on how to train a fish? Many fish keepers do not give their fish enough credit for being smart.

Most pet fish are above average intelligence and can be easily trained given their food-motivated behavior

.

Do fish like mirrors?

(Image credit: Todd Anderson/Stanford University.)

Looking at themselves in a mirror is enough to scare some fish

, a new study finds. Fish looking at a mirror showed increased brain activity in regions linked to fear than fish faced with an actual fish separated by glass, the study showed.

Can you drown a fish?


Yes, fish can ‘drown'

–for lack of a better word. Though, it is better to think of it as a form of suffocation where oxygen levels are too low or the fish isn't able to properly pull oxygen from the water for one reason or another.

Does fish get thirsty?


They don't ever get thirsty

. Marine fish are what's called hypertonic to the seawater. So essentially, they lose water through their gills to the seawater. The seawater is saltier than their blood.

Do fish have feelings?


Fish Have Feelings, Too

: The Inner Lives Of Our ‘Underwater Cousins' : The Salt Jonathan Balcombe, author of What A Fish Knows, says that fish have a conscious awareness — or “sentience” — that allows them to experience pain, recognize individual humans and have memory.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.