Fishperson:
I get and understand what you're saying.
I also get really attached to animals, so.
. But for me they actually are my pets. I was going to get a hamster but ended up with a betta fish and now have 7 Pygmy Cory cats too. Lol. My betta has a name and if I could tell them apart I would maybe name the catfish too. Not everyone wants to name their fish and that's fine. Many people don't. I think Bettas tend to get named more than other fish, but that may be just my opinion.
I think he is following fingers especially since he doesn't always do it. I don't know if we'll ever really know. Fish are a hard creature to really understand in some ways.
Let it suffice to say, they are living creatures that deserve proper care and (also love in my opinion) and attention.
I understand not all people see their fish as pets and that's fine.
You're good to your fish and take good care of them and that's what matters
. You appreciate them in one way and I another. That's perfectly okay