Can Fish Recognise People?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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University of Oxford zoologist Cait Newport suspected the archerfish she was studying could recognize her. The tropical fish—known to spit jets of water at insect prey—would take aim at her when she walked into the laboratory.

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.

Can fish show affection to humans?

Researchers have found that fish recognize each other and gather information by eavesdropping. They're capable of remembering past social interactions that they've had with other fish, and

they show affection by rubbing against each other

. Dr.

How long are fish memories?

The five second memory myth is ingrained in our brains as a fact, but it has been busted in recent years. Fish may not be as intelligent as mammals, but experiments have shown that fish can remember

up to five months

and have the capacity to learn new skills.

How do you know your fish love you?

  1. They swim back and forth freely and energetically around the tank.
  2. Quite like humans, happy fish might have a vibrant glow to their skin. …
  3. They do not appear fearful of the other fish in the tank. …
  4. They are breathing normally.

Do fish feel love for their owners?

Surprisingly, science has found that

fish are capable of recognizing their owner's face

, even if the owner is standing by the tank with other people. Fish can develop an association between something they like, being fed, with the person who feeds them.

Why do fish follow you?

Because fish often rely upon a complex web of senses beyond sight, many signals – chemical, hormonal, activity and sound – will attracts them and they know when you are, and will trail you, long before you see them.

Do fish like when you talk to them?


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. However, sound that occurs underwater is loud and travels fast.

Do fishes communicate with each other?

Just like humans,

fish can also communicate with one another

. The most common ways they achieve this are through sound, color, bioluminescence, motion, electrical impulses and smell. These forms of communication are usually used to help navigate, call for spawning, alert predators to keep away, and while fighting.

How can you tell if a fish is asleep?

It's pretty easy to tell when fish are sleeping:

they lie motionless, often at the bottom or near the surface of the water

. They are slow to respond to things going on around them, or may not respond at all (see some sleeping catfish here). If you watch their gills, you'll notice they're breathing very slowly.

Do fish remember being caught?

Researchers find that

wild cleaner can remember being caught up to 11 months after the fact

, and actively try to avoid getting caught again.

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's the smartest fish?

For fish, that title goes to

manta rays

. They're giant, charismatic and basically geniuses. Mantas have huge brains — the biggest of any fish — with especially developed areas for learning, problem solving and communicating.

Why do 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.

Can a fish love you?

Many people feel that fish have no emotions and therefore

cannot love their owners

in the same way humans do. Some fish do show aggression to their owners, that I know for sure.

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.

Do fish have thoughts?


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.

Do fish mind being in tanks?


Fish are intelligent, sensitive animals who think and feel pain the same way that cats and dogs do

. In fact, scientists at Oxford University have discovered that some fish can learn faster than dogs. Fish crave stimulation from other fish and from their environment.

Can fish form relationships?

What they found was that both the female and the male she had chosen were slower to spawn and became a little more glum. This shows us that

fish do feel companionship

and that it's not just humans or mammals, so love really is in the water!

Why are my fish excited to see me?


They give their greeting to their owners by showing excitement in the way they swim and by not hiding when their owners are near

. You would often see them swimming in front of the tank when they recognize their owners, and they associate your presence with being fed.

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.

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.

What do fish like to play with?


Floating log, leaf hammock, moss balls, and aquatic plants

are some of the best things for aquarium fish to play on. Enhancing your tank with toys and marine décor can do wonders for your fish's habitat. It excites them and makes them feel at home.

Does music attract fish?

It has been established that, even though underwater, fish can detect both the actual sound of music and the sound waves that ripple through the water. Concerning this attention to sound, it's noticeable that:

Fish are attracted to certain sounds and vibrations and not to others

.

Do fish get lonely?

What is this? Goldfish are just not the same as humans – they're not social animals in the same way that we are, and

they don't have the same capacity to get bored or long for companionship

. In fact, many of the longest living goldfish have been kept alone, with no obvious harm to their well being.

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.