Do you think your fish are happy?

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...So funny you ask that. The other night I was sitting here with my head back, glancing at al lthe tanks around me....just watching the fish "play" yes, I say play...They reminded me of kids on a playground...OH some nipped, some did tricks together, some played chase, BUT IMO...they were all having a good time
SO AGAIN....YES I DO think they are happy
(especially in the 225G since the damsels are gone)
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
I dose with vodka, what do you think
I was sitting here with my head back
Much to much info Lois
BTW I would have put your statement in quotes with a smiley but that seems to be not working again
 

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3251887
I dose with vodka, what do you think
I was sitting here with my head back
Much to much info Lois
BTW I would have put your statement in quotes with a smiley but that seems to be not working again
I don't share my vodka with anyone....LOL
On a serious note, Let me ask you Joe...even more now since you have your mantis.....how often do you sit, relax with a drink in hand (or none) and just WATCH your tanks???? Tell me that as much as I am sure you do, that you can not see if they are happy.....I would even bet you can tell if the slightest thing is wrong
 

mony97

Member
Boy do I hope so I love those little guys ;) and a drink in hand while watching my tank, now that is a great way to end a day..
 

cranberry

Active Member
Well..... I'm going to say I don't think my fish are happy..... I don't feel they have that emotion.
 

gill again68

Active Member
My fish are happy. I dont care what anyone says, 4 or 5 or whatever thousands of dollars into it you bet I think they are happy and you better not tell me otherwise

Me and a friend would meet at our local Bass Pro Shop on Fridays just to knock back a few and watch their Salt Water Tank. Now I can do that at home. Absolutely the preferred method of observing the tank is with drink in hand. Do you think your fish like watching you as much as you are watching them? I know my LMB is having a good time.
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Noah's Nemo
http:///forum/post/3252079
Simple answer,if they make you happy, then they are happy


+1
If the fish are fighting, or sick we are not happy with them, we are worried. So when the critters are doing well, we are happy…so that means they are happy.
My fish do fish stuff, they pick at the rock and swim around and through them…chase each other into their perspective territory, everyone has their place. Nothing is sick, or fighting…all is well, I think that is about as happy as a fish can get..
They do seem to hate it if I put my hand in the tank or when I do the water changes. So I know they can be unhappy and hide. If they get sick, the other fish will eat them even before they are totally dead and if they are picked on they hide. So if they can be unhappy and afraid, they can be happy and feel secure and at home.
 

bang guy

Moderator
I think the closest fish can get to "happy" is something like "low anxiety". I think my fish are usually in a state of low anxiety.
 

noah's nemo

Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3252085

+1
If the fish are fighting, or sick we are not happy with them, we are worried. So when the critters are doing well, we are happy…so that means they are happy.
My fish do fish stuff, they pick at the rock and swim around and through them…chase each other into their perspective territory, everyone has their place. Nothing is sick, or fighting…all is well, I think that is about as happy as a fish can get..
They do seem to hate it if I put my hand in the tank or when I do the water changes. So I know they can be unhappy and hide. If they get sick, the other fish will eat them even before they are totally dead and if they are picked on they hide. So if they can be unhappy and afraid, they can be happy and feel secure and at home.

Yours is the complex answer
 

cranberry

Active Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3252085
They do seem to hate it if I put my hand in the tank or when I do the water changes. So I know they can be unhappy and hide.
That is a reaction to a stimuli, not an emotion. Even a spider will run away from me if I tap his web. Fight or flight.
Originally Posted by Flower

http:///forum/post/3252085
If they get sick, the other fish will eat them even before they are totally dead and if they are picked on they hide.
I don't think it requires emotions to avoid being eaten alive. They're not avoiding the emotional aspect but the stimuli of pain.
Our fish are never "happy" to see us. They see us as potential food every time we enter the room. They recognize the pattern. They are all a bunch of Pavlov's dogs tapping on the glass. When my scorps see me they light up like Christmas tress. It would be nice to think they are excited at my meer presence.... but it's a reaction to potential food.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3251889
I don't share my vodka with anyone....LOL
On a serious note, Let me ask you Joe...even more now since you have your mantis.....how often do you sit, relax with a drink in hand (or none) and just WATCH your tanks???? Tell me that as much as I am sure you do, that you can not see if they are happy.....I would even bet you can tell if the slightest thing is wrong

To answer your question, my DT is in my sitting room where I do most of my reading. I am an avid reader (wow that must be a shock to most on the boards) so I get to look at my DT almost every day for about an hour. I think we become attuned to our tanks general condition so we can spot an unbalance fairly easily. I have to agree with Bang. With nothing to compare with as far as happy or sad we can only use a stress factor in evaluating the state of our fish.
 

noah's nemo

Member
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3252157
That is a reaction to a stimuli, not an emotion. Even a spider will run away from me if I tap his web. Fight or flight.
I don't think it requires emotions to avoid being eaten alive. They're not avoiding the emotional aspect but the stimuli of pain.
Our fish are never "happy" to see us. They see us as potential food every time we enter the room. They recognize the pattern. They are all a bunch of Pavlov's dogs tapping on the glass. When my scorps see me they light up like Christmas tress. It would be nice to think they are excited at my meer presence.... but it's a reaction to potential food.
I think your getting to in depth with the question
......If you can look at your tank and be happy with what you see,then all is well...IMO....
 

crypt keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by Noah's Nemo
http:///forum/post/3252165
I think your getting to in depth with the question
......If you can look at your tank and be happy with what you see,then all is well...IMO....
that doesnt answer the question. Its not if you are happy.
 
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