Freshwater or saltwater swimming friends are not usually part of most people’s routine, with the exception of those who are passionate about aquariums. Therefore, many people do not know the wonders and main curiosities about fish .
In fact, even those who have fish as pets may not know all the secrets that these animals hold. That’s why the Petz blog has put together some interesting facts about surprising fish. Check out the text below!
Fish have memory
One of the most interesting facts about fish is their memory capacity. These animals can remember that a predator attacked them for months. This way, they can escape when they encounter it again. The carp species, for example, after being hooked, can avoid that object for a year.
In fact, there are species that even recognize people’s faces. So, a fish in an aquarium that is cared for daily by the same person probably knows who its owner is. It’s no wonder that the popular saying “fish memory” exists.
Fish have feelings
Now, if fish have hearts , those who think they don’t have feelings are very wrong! Perhaps this assumption that fish don’t feel emotions like mammals occurs because they don’t have facial expression.
However, studies have concluded that, in stressful situations, the body temperature of fish increases, just as it does with humans. This happens, for example, when they are trapped in small spaces, in nets, in dirty environments or are having an inadequate diet.
On the other hand, when environmental conditions are favorable and the fish is not afraid, is well fed and free to swim, the temperature remains stable. Thus, it expresses its natural behavior.
Fish feel pain
Although popular culture believes that fish are indifferent to pain, scientific studies show that this is not the case. It has been observed that when they injure an area of their body, swimmers rub the injured part to relieve the pain — just like humans.
Fish are always on the alert
One of the most common questions about fish is: do they sleep? Since they don’t have eyelids, it’s hard to determine whether they’re sleeping or not. It’s possible to say that these swimming friends rest, but they don’t go into a deep sleep.
When they are floating and with their fins still, these animals are probably in a state of drowsiness. However, they are always awake. The fish is “ cold-blooded” enough to notice the slightest sign of movement or noise: it wakes up quickly and runs away to avoid being attacked.
Pisces are great students
Have you ever stopped to think about how fish manage to swim together in those huge schools? How do they each know their position and when to switch places? Well, these animals learn from each other by observing the actions of the more experienced ones.
Furthermore, from the moment they are born, fish learn how and where to get their food. They also understand where the dangers lie and which species are threatening or not. All of this comes from living in groups.
Fish make sounds and communicate
Humans can’t hear, but fish talk to each other. They make sounds and communicate through the vibrations of the water to find out if there are other animals or different species nearby. This is how they warn their fellow fish!
Fish feel cold
There are endless curiosities about fish ! Just as it is difficult to know and recognize the emotions of swimmers, since they have no facial expression, it is also difficult to understand when these animals are uncomfortable. For example, do they feel cold?
Yes, fish feel cold! In fact, they can die from hypothermia (when their body temperature is too low). Each species has an ideal water temperature to survive. Therefore, if you are an aquarist, it is a good idea to have a thermometer in the aquarium to keep your fish comfortable.
Fish drink water and pee
Hydration is essential for all living beings! Even though swimmers live in the aquatic environment, they also need to drink water and, consequently, pee. This is a curiosity about fish that few know!
Each species feeds at a different depth of water
The eating habits of each species of fish are very interesting! While some like to eat on the surface of the water, others prefer the middle. There are also those that stay at the bottom.
If you are an aquarist, it is important to know this so that you can buy the right food for your species. Some have grains that float, while others sink. They are specially developed for each species.
Some fish ingest waste
Did you know that there are swimmers with detritivorous habits, which feed on leftover food and feces? However, they also need a balanced diet, with quality food. This is one of the most interesting curiosities about fish.
The Cascudo fish, for example, can be an ally for aquarists: by ingesting the waste of other species in the aquarium, it helps to keep the environment clean for longer.