danedodger
Member
Ok then would you agree that there are notable differences in behavior between a fish that *seems* to be happy and healthy vs. one that isn't?
Then further, would you agree that when someone takes the time to really get to research a bit they can make an educated prediction about under what conditions a type of fish (broad type like tangs, clowns, etc.) is going to more likely be happy and healthy?
And then last, would you say that after someone buys a particular fish then takes the time to observe that fish for awhile they can tell when it is behaving normally?
My point is that when you do your research and then really get to know your fish you can tell a difference between one that's happy and comfy vs. one that isn't. For instance, my yellow tang behaves in what I would call a normal for him and generally normal for tangs according to everything I've read and heard manner. Right now he's just kind of lazily swimming here and there picking at the rocks which signals to me that he's content. Sometimes he zooms across the tank for a bit in what looks to me like a kind of joyful just to be able to stretch out and "run" manner.
Are the emotions of "content" and "joyful" scientifically provable and completely accurate? Not really because I don't think that even with the best scientific testing we could ever prove that a fish feels contentment or joy in exactly the same manner as a human would. I think I can say with some degree of accuracy though that he is at least experiencing a positive emotion during these times and the best way I can describe it in our human language is "content" and "joyful".
Agree or not?
Then further, would you agree that when someone takes the time to really get to research a bit they can make an educated prediction about under what conditions a type of fish (broad type like tangs, clowns, etc.) is going to more likely be happy and healthy?
And then last, would you say that after someone buys a particular fish then takes the time to observe that fish for awhile they can tell when it is behaving normally?
My point is that when you do your research and then really get to know your fish you can tell a difference between one that's happy and comfy vs. one that isn't. For instance, my yellow tang behaves in what I would call a normal for him and generally normal for tangs according to everything I've read and heard manner. Right now he's just kind of lazily swimming here and there picking at the rocks which signals to me that he's content. Sometimes he zooms across the tank for a bit in what looks to me like a kind of joyful just to be able to stretch out and "run" manner.
Are the emotions of "content" and "joyful" scientifically provable and completely accurate? Not really because I don't think that even with the best scientific testing we could ever prove that a fish feels contentment or joy in exactly the same manner as a human would. I think I can say with some degree of accuracy though that he is at least experiencing a positive emotion during these times and the best way I can describe it in our human language is "content" and "joyful".
Agree or not?