Aquarium fish are a joy to keep and observe. As an aquarist, you may be wondering about the health and wellbeing of your water pets in captivity. For example, you may also be asking yourself, ‘do fish know they’re in a fish tank?’
Fish can recognize when they’re in a contained environment. Otherwise, they’d be bumping into the tank walls constantly. If overcrowded, they’ll exbibit signs of stress such as erratic swimming and ‘glass surfing’. Fish raised in captivity will do better in a confined space than those caught in the wild.
Now that you know aquarium fish are typically aware of their surroundings and can determine spatial boundaries, let’s explore this topic in greater depth. Together, we’ll discover if fish know they’re fish, if they can recognize others of their kind, if they know their owners, if they bored or lonely in a tank, and how to tell if they’re stressed.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about aquarium fish and their territorial behaviour in captivity, then let’s get to it!
Do Fish Know They’re Fish?
Fish don’t know they’re ‘fish’ perse. However, they can recognize others of their kind and will instinctively join them in a school or shoal, depending on the species. It’s believed that fish can determine others of their genus through smell, markings, movements (swim patterns), etc.
Furthermore, fish can learn from their environment and experiences. Some species (goldfish, for example) can memorize the location of food and hiding spots. This indicates that fish have a level of cognition which allows them to make decisions and remember certain information.
Also, it’s believed that fish can sense their surroundings and react accordingly. They have a complex nervous system that enables them to respond to changes in the environment. Additionally, fish are known to communicate with each other through a variety of visual, auditory, and chemical signals.
Do Fish Care About Being in Tanks?
The question of whether fish care about being kept in tanks is a complex one. Fish are nomadic creatures and prefer to swim freely and explore their surroundings. They don’t like to be kept in cramped, overcrowded spaces.
Stress and frustration from confinement will cause fish to act erratically and can even shorten their lifespan. A range of behavioral and physiological changes such as swimming erratically and rubbing against the walls can occur when kept in too small of a tank.
To ensure the health and longevity of your aquatic pets, it’s important to keep their environment clean and as close as possible to their natural habitat. Fish are happiest when they have plenty of room to swim and when the tank is decorated with plants and rocks that mimic their surroundings in the wild.
Do Aquarium Fish Know Their Owners?
When it comes to whether (or not) aquarium fish know their owners, the answer is a bit more nuanced. Fish do have the ability to recognize and respond to certain stimuli in their environment, such as the presence of their owners.
For example, if you enter the room and stand near the tank, aquarium fish will often swim closer to the glass or come to the surface in anticipation of receiving food. This could indicate that they have learned to associate the presence of their owner with the possibility of being fed.
As well, some species of fish can be trained to take food right out of their keeper’s hand! This behavior is known as “targeting” and it can be used as both an enrichment activity and a way for people to interact with their aquatic pets.
That said, it’s important to note that fish don’t have the same level of cognitive abilities as humans or other animals. They don’t possess the same capacity for emotions, and they can’t form the same deep bonds with their owners as other pets like dogs or cats.
Do Fish Feel Bored in Tanks?
Fish, like all living creatures, can get bored. For this reason, it’s imperative that you provide enrichment activities to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Should you notice your fish ‘glass surfing’ (repeatedly swimming up and down along the tank walls) this could be a sign of stress or boredom.
There are 5 things you can do to prevent fish boredom. These include the following:
- Add plants, rocks, driftwood, and substrate to the tank – mimicking the natural habit of your fish will create a stress-free atmosphere and promote exploration.
- Change up the décor in the tank to keep things interesting – adding a few new items will intrigue your pet fish and encourage them to explore their new surroundings.
- Add ledges, leaf hammocks, and floating toys to the tank – these additions help promote spatial awareness and get fish swimming at different levels.
- Add an airstone to the tank – not only do fish like to swim through and ‘play’ in the air bubbles but they also help to oxygenate the water.
- Put a mirror in the tank – mirrors create the illusion of more fish and give occupants a chance to observe themselves swimming, thus promoting activity.
Do Fish Get Lonely in Tanks?
Depending on the species, it’s possible for fish to become lonely in a tank. Fish, especially those of the schooling or shoaling variety, are social creatures and feel safer with others of their kind in captivity. When kept in pairs of groups, most aquarium fish tend to be healthier and more peaceful.
To tell is your pet fish are lonely, observe their behavior daily and watch for symptoms of stress. If they constantly hide out, hover near the surface rather swim, or spend most of their time motionless along the substrate, then they may be suffering from isolation and lack of companionship.
What are Signs of an Overcrowded Fish Tank?
A too small or overpopulated tank is detrimental to the health and well-being of your water pets. An overstocked tank creates a stressful environment for fish, not to mention more maintenance work for the aquarist.
Typical signs of an overstocked fish tank include the following:
- Murky or cloudy water
- Fish gasping for air – lack of oxygen
- Fish swimming erratically
- Fish not eating
- Fish laying motionless along the substrate
- Lack of energy or lethargy among fish
- Heightened aggression among fish
- Stunted fish growth
- Diseased fish
- Fish banging into tank walls
The rule-of-thumb for stocking a fish tank is one inch of fish per gallon of water, depending on the species, of course. Larger, more active, or more aggressive fish need more space. Should you feel your aquarium is overstocked, consider buying a larger one or rehoming some of your aquatic pets.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, aquarium fish know they’re in a confined space which prevents them from banging up against the glass. To keep them healthy and happy, it’s imperative not to overcrowd the tank otherwise, fish will become stressed and sick. Captive-raised fish typically live longer in a tank than wild-caught fish.
I hope this article has been of help to you and answered your questions regarding whether fish know they’re in an aquarium. Thanks for reading and good luck with your aquarist hobby!
