Do fish recognize strangers? - Aquarium Advice

goldfishfan · 04-30-2008, 09:28 PM

I've noticed something interesting that happens in front of my 125 freshwater tank. It has mostly tiger barbs, a few gold barbs and some platys. When I'm around or my husband walks by, the tiger barbs follow him from one end of the tank to the other hoping for a meal. When my mom or strangers stand in front of the tank, all the fish hide as far back under the plants as the tank allows. Not even the cat walking on top of the tank, which is strongly discouraged, gets as much reaction as strange people do. So do fish recognize individuals?

Innovator · 04-30-2008, 09:30 PM

yes, fish can recognize shapes and patterns to a certain extent.

**Zagz** · 04-30-2008, 09:51 PM

Mine certainly recognize me as the food source. No one but me feeds them and when I go to the tank they all rush up. Anyone else and they just keep doing whatever they were doing.

Sahabo · 04-30-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zagz

Mine certainly recognize me as the food source. No one but me feeds them and when I go to the tank they all rush up. Anyone else and they just keep doing whatever they were doing.

My betta behaves the same way. He basically ignores my husband, but when I'm there he displays, zips back and forth in front of me, and seems to follow my movements.

jrp1588 · 05-05-2008, 11:50 PM

My fish don't seem to care, but my turtle certainly recognizes people. My girlfriend has taken a liking to him, and she's usually the one that feeds him. Every time she comes into the room, he freeks out and starts rushing around the tank and making all kinds of noise. He never does this for me. haha

happygirl65 · 05-05-2008, 11:53 PM

My fish do the same thing. They know me as I am the only one who feeds, they hide from or ignore the other family members.

But me, they will follow all around.

MisticX · 05-05-2008, 11:59 PM

my tank is set at 10 cm left from where i stand when i work at the computer,

from time to time when i work, i take 2-5 mins break to watch them and play with them (yes u read good)

i play with them ;PPP
they come and "kiss" my fingers, and 2 of the black molly females actually rub themselves against the tip of my fingers.

when my wife does that, they hide as far possible in the plants.

furthermore, when a foreigner is in the house, you barely see fish in the tank even thou i have only 4 small plants in the tank.

answer to your question, i think that fish recognize to a certain degree their master/masters (will research more into it)

Gillie · 05-08-2008, 11:35 AM

I had an Oscar that would try to attack anyone he didn't recognize when they got too close to his tank. He also enjoyed being "petted" by anyone he did know.

**Ziggy953** · 05-08-2008, 11:51 AM

I know my SW fish recognize me as they all dart to the glass when I walk by. I think it is the food association, they know I feed them.

Skyrmir · 05-08-2008, 01:08 PM

Mine used to come to the glass when I came near. Since my wife and I started alternating feeding they only do it when we pick up the food can now. Otherwise we're pretty much ignored.

04-30-2008, 09:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
goldfishfan Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1	Do fish recognize strangers? I've noticed something interesting that happens in front of my 125 freshwater tank. It has mostly tiger barbs, a few gold barbs and some platys. When I'm around or my husband walks by, the tiger barbs follow him from one end of the tank to the other hoping for a meal. When my mom or strangers stand in front of the tank, all the fish hide as far back under the plants as the tank allows. Not even the cat walking on top of the tank, which is strongly discouraged, gets as much reaction as strange people do. So do fish recognize individuals?

04-30-2008, 09:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zagz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Admin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 9,968 Images: 75	Mine certainly recognize me as the food source. No one but me feeds them and when I go to the tank they all rush up. Anyone else and they just keep doing whatever they were doing. __________________ Anne My Profile Page My tank & fish photos Have you voted for AA today?

05-08-2008, 11:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
Gillie Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romeo, Michigan Posts: 447	I had an Oscar that would try to attack anyone he didn't recognize when they got too close to his tank. He also enjoyed being "petted" by anyone he did know. __________________ Phil

05-08-2008, 11:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 2,499 Images: 5	I know my SW fish recognize me as they all dart to the glass when I walk by. I think it is the food association, they know I feed them. __________________ Happy Reefing! *210 upgrade on the way* Visit our Article section for answers on a variety of topics. LFS, PWC, PH RO/DI what in the world? Look here!

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04-30-2008, 09:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Innovator Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 737	yes, fish can recognize shapes and patterns to a certain extent.

05-05-2008, 11:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
jrp1588 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Evansville, Indiana Posts: 1,087 Images: 13	My fish don't seem to care, but my turtle certainly recognizes people. My girlfriend has taken a liking to him, and she's usually the one that feeds him. Every time she comes into the room, he freeks out and starts rushing around the tank and making all kinds of noise. He never does this for me. haha

05-05-2008, 11:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
happygirl65 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: DeBorgia, MT Posts: 594 Images: 3	My fish do the same thing. They know me as I am the only one who feeds, they hide from or ignore the other family members. But me, they will follow all around.

05-05-2008, 11:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
MisticX Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 22	my tank is set at 10 cm left from where i stand when i work at the computer, from time to time when i work, i take 2-5 mins break to watch them and play with them (yes u read good) i play with them ;PPP they come and "kiss" my fingers, and 2 of the black molly females actually rub themselves against the tip of my fingers. when my wife does that, they hide as far possible in the plants. furthermore, when a foreigner is in the house, you barely see fish in the tank even thou i have only 4 small plants in the tank. answer to your question, i think that fish recognize to a certain degree their master/masters (will research more into it)

05-08-2008, 01:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Skyrmir Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 495 Images: 9	Mine used to come to the glass when I came near. Since my wife and I started alternating feeding they only do it when we pick up the food can now. Otherwise we're pretty much ignored.