i have a 37 gallon community tank, most the fish are oblivious that they’re even alive i know but, i have an angel and pearl gourami in there and they are pretty smart in comparison. i have blue hair and i’ve had blue hair since getting them about 5/6 ish months ago. im on a trip and will be gone for 12 days. i wanted to redye my hair pink but im worried my fish aren’t gonna remember or know who i am. is this stupid?
Posted by Downtown_Year8257
8 Comments
Cornball
The fish or the hair?
Fish are able to memorise facial behaviours quite quickly. Not just restricted to pet fishes, wild fishes often associate to certain frequent divers that might offer food. If you change your hair colour the fish might not recognise you initially, but after a few feedings they’ll also associate the ‘pink haired person’ with food, just like how they remember the ‘blue haired person’ gave them food. Fishes have great long-term memory. Even after i left my helper to feed them on a 10 day holiday my fish still remember that i’m the main feeder
Yes. I had a gorgeous 250 gallon that I spent a lot of money, time, and energy on with the hopes that I’d be able to watch my fish in a natural looking environment. Nope. Every fucking time I walked anywhere near the tank they would swarm and act a fool. My husband, who never laid a finger on the tank, got to sit and watch them peacefully do their fishy things. They know who feeds them.
Your fish recognize you and your movement as a source of food. Nothing more. They aren’t going to recognize hair color lol
Fish will recognize people around them. The smarter ones will really know you (such as cichlids). I don’t think color hair change will really throw them for a loop.
I had a black convict cichlid that was smart and attentive. When the suitcases came out, he knew what was happening and would throw a tantrum. I didn’t even travel much.
he looks like a wicked flame and your finger is the lighter 🔥
Fish are a very social animal, and recognizing some more subtle features like your face are intrinsic to their survival in the wild. Cleaner wrasse and their mimics are a good example of this. Not every fish is able to distinguish the difference, but there are definitely numerous species that do and steer clear. Other features they may recognize are your fingers or hands, as well, depending on how often you interact through the glass in that way!