Weird question but gotta ask.
When my husband or daughter walk up to my AC tank they all go from swimming to scatter and hide. They can stand there for as long as they want and no fish. I walk up and they scatter and hide....then it's almost as if they all go, "Hey, I know you." and they slowly come out. Obviously I am "Food Woman" to them but that also tells me there is some sort of recognition. How about you? Any thoughts?
General Aquaria Discussion • Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Moderators: DJRansome, fmueller
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Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Melissa
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
- Melanddave6571
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:39 am
- Location: usa
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Absolutely. Some more than others.
180 gal - Tanganyikan community tank: Tropheus Bemba, Synodontis Petricola, Compressiceps
125gal - South American community: Geophagus, Acara, Angels, Severum, Festivum
75gal - Planted SA tank
125gal - South American community: Geophagus, Acara, Angels, Severum, Festivum
75gal - Planted SA tank
- nodima
- Moderator
- Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 12:06 pm
- Location: Mass
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Unquestionably. The fish almost never run from my wife or I, but as soon as someone else walks in the room I have an empty fish tank.
- Aaron S
- Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:30 am
- Location: USA
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Yeah, I thought it wasn't my imagination.
They know who the cafeteria lady/man is lol

Melissa
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
- Melanddave6571
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:39 am
- Location: usa
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Yeah, for a split second I feel loved...then I remember they just think I am going to feed them and then feel slightly used lol.
- Aaron S
- Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:30 am
- Location: USA
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Aaron S wrote:Yeah, for a split second I feel loved...then I remember they just think I am going to feed them and then feel slightly used lol.
Ha Ha, yep. I know the feeling. Around here I'm known as the food lady by all the animals.
Melissa
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
- Melanddave6571
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:39 am
- Location: usa
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
This is very true, especially with our grown/adult fish.
- BlueSunshine
- Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 4:22 pm
- Location: USA
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
BlueSunshine wrote:This is very true, especially with our grown/adult fish.
agreed,,,,,and I don't agree with Anthropomorphism. I think animals of all sorts have emotion, feelings, souls etc. Maybe they din't love us but there is a connection,
Melissa
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
- Melanddave6571
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:39 am
- Location: usa
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Our oscars and jack dempsey most certainly recognize individual people. I do most of the routine feeding in our tanks, but I have a certain regimen I follow, with no treats. My wife loves giving treats. She brings home crickets from the pet shop once a week or so, or feeds them frozen krill or mini shrimp. When I go near the glass, they all line up and watch me expectantly, but when she goes near, they all swim around excitedly, sometimes splashing at the surface and doing acrobatics. I'm certain they know that I'm just going to give them plain old cichlid pellets, but that she's the "ice cream truck," and always has special treats.
6,500G Koi pond; 220g Indoor water garden;
150g long American cichlid tank;
125g Undecided (Cycling)
90G Malawi cichlid tank;
90G Community tank
150g long American cichlid tank;
125g Undecided (Cycling)
90G Malawi cichlid tank;
90G Community tank
- SherLar
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:03 pm
- Location: Central US
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Mine just recognize anyone that walks in front of there tank. All they ever want is to be feed be it me, the dogs are some stranger. They follow you back and fore you can read it on there lips. (feed me, feed me) They may know me but they act the same to any one that get close to the tank.
- CeeJay
- Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:35 am
- Location: USA
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
SherLar wrote:Our oscars and jack dempsey most certainly recognize individual people. I do most of the routine feeding in our tanks, but I have a certain regimen I follow, with no treats. My wife loves giving treats. She brings home crickets from the pet shop once a week or so, or feeds them frozen krill or mini shrimp. When I go near the glass, they all line up and watch me expectantly, but when she goes near, they all swim around excitedly, sometimes splashing at the surface and doing acrobatics. I'm certain they know that I'm just going to give them plain old cichlid pellets, but that she's the "ice cream truck," and always has special treats.
Haha we are the opposite here. But with all the animals. I am the general food lady and husband is the treat giver for everyone. He's Willy Wonky! lol
CeeJay wrote:Mine just recognize anyone that walks in front of there tank. All they ever want is to be feed be it me, the dogs are some stranger. They follow you back and fore you can read it on there lips. (feed me, feed me) They may know me but they act the same to any one that get close to the tank.
Haha that's different. We all have our own tanks and do our own feedings. The Cichlids know it's me. But the 150 community and my angels will take candy from strangers.

Melissa
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
75 Gallon tank
1 auratus
2 Yellow Acei
1 Johanni
2 Kenyi
1 Yellow lab
2 Pseudotropheus Socolofi
1 Red Top Zebra albino
1 Electric Blue Johanni
1 Red Top orange
2 Feather Fin
and so far last I counted 6 babies
- Melanddave6571
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:39 am
- Location: usa
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Hello, newbie here. Mine in the 40 long don't seem to really care who it is as long as they get something. My 20 long that I have a pair of kribs in pretty much stay in hiding until I back away for awhile.
- yukondog
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:08 am
- Location: FL.
Re: Do your fish "Recognize" you???
Yeah the recognize me! My WC Moba's dart for cover when I first walk up! My F1 Mpimbwe's would get all excited and come to the top and start splashing around waiting for some NLS to hit their lips!
- siklid245
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:33 pm
- Location: mississippi
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