Do fishes fall in love? Well, we can't say that for sure. However, some species of fish are monogamous. The seahorse (often not recognised as a fish due to its unusual characteristics) is known to mate exclusively for a breeding season and in some cases have been shown to mate for life.
Yes, fish experience both physical and emotional pain. Scientists say that it's likely a different type than what humans experience, but it's pain nonetheless.
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.
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.
It's widely debated, but technically, yes. But it depends on how you define “love.” Fish are able to recognize their owners and seek pleasurable experiences. As they remember your face and correlate it with pleasurable experiences like eating or being pet, they may learn to show affection in some ways.
More than all of this, fish are sentient (they have feelings!) It's clear to us that fishes are sentient beings, meaning that they're individuals, capable of experiencing pain and feeling emotions such as fear.
1: Do fish love their mates and families? Hurd and his colleagues have studied species of cichlid fish that breed in monogamous pairs. “And I'm convinced these fish love their mates and love their kids,” he says. “They look after each other for months on end, better than dogs look after their pups.”
The wild wriggling and squirming fish do when they're hooked and pulled from the water during catch-and-release fishing isn't just an automatic response—it's a conscious reaction to the pain they feel when a hook pierces their lips, jaws, or body.
Over crowding, a lack of oxygen, over-feeding and poor nutrition, are stress factors that may lead fish to huddle together at the bottom of the pond.
Scientists have just observed a thought swimming through the brain of a live fish, and that thought concerned getting something good to eat. Fish and other wild animals appear to think a lot about food: how to obtain it and what to consume.
“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.
When we think of fish, we often see them as a collective without much variation between individuals. Recent research, however, is showing that fish do, in fact, have their own unique personalities — some are bolder and more eager to explore while others are more timid and tend to take less risks than their peers.
Touching Can Be Harmful to Fish
Touching your pet fish is usually a bad idea. It's advised to avoid touching or grabbing fish with bare hands in an aquarium unless in emergency situations. From sanitary concerns to fish safety, there are many reasons to avoid touching them altogether.
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.
Fish don't only have feelings - they can also be faithful. While exploring the waters of Thailand's Chaloklum Bay, a snorkeler happened upon a bittersweet scene of friendship between two little pufferfish.
There has recently been increasing evidence demonstrating that fish can discriminate between familiar individuals based on facial characteristics (i.e., true individual recognition) and can even identify individual humans faces (e.g., refs. 22–29).
The Batfish – Clowns of the Sea
Have you ever wondered to yourself “What is the friendliest fish in the ocean?” Well, wonder no more! The answer to this question is actually quite obvious, it's the ever so curious batfish.
Fish have gills that allow them to “breathe” oxygen dissolved in the water. Water enters the mouth, passes over the gills, and exits the body through a special opening. This keeps an adequate amount of water in their bodies and they don't feel thirsty.
Fish can recognise members of the same species and tell if other fish are siblings, but they probably can't identify themselves. Fish can't see themselves, and so presumably don't know what they look like. But they're still able to recognise other members of their own species and join them in a shoal.
It's a way for them to interact, and it can be fun for them. They also might be working on growing their little families in the near future. One fish might try to chase another fish out of its territory, but doesn't actually plan to hurt the trespasser if it doesn't have to.
“Fish do feel pain. It's likely different from what humans feel, but it is still a kind of pain.” At the anatomical level, fish have neurons known as nociceptors, which detect potential harm, such as high temperatures, intense pressure, and caustic chemicals.
Fish-keepers sometimes see their pets 'glass surfing' – swimming repeatedly up and down the glass of the tank. This could be the aquatic equivalent of the pacing of a captive tiger that's bored from a lack of stimulation. But the fish could also be stressed from an overcrowded or unfamiliar tank.
As the each Kisser approaches each other their plump lips lock together for a brief time then release. Although scientist are studying these fish to determine the reason for their behavior, it is thought that it is a social test of strength and/or status. So actually, they are not kissing at all!