Do fish hear you?
Sophia Koch
Updated on March 16, 2026
However, yes, they can hear your voice.
They just know someone is speaking. They can associate sounds with action, though. For example, if you are to say your betta fish's name – let us call him George – each time you sprinkle food in his aquarium, he will eventually associate the sound of “George” with food.Do fish like being talked to?
Yes and no, according to fishing pro Tom Redington. Since sound doesn't travel well between air and water, loud talking or screaming will be barely noticeable to the fish underwater. They won't get spooked or scared. However, sound that occurs underwater is loud and travels fast.Do fish recognize their owner?
Surprisingly, science has found that fish are capable of recognizing their owner's face, even if the owner is standing by the tank with other people. Fish can develop an association between something they like, being fed, with the person who feeds them.Can fish understand you?
Can your pet fish recognize your face? A new study says, Yes, it probably can. Researchers studying archerfish found the fish can tell a familiar human face from dozens of new faces with surprising accuracy.Do fish have voices?
Fish Have 'Talked' For 155 Million Years, And Now You Can Hear Their 'Voices' All manner of croaks, chirps, and deep trombone moans permeate Earth's waters, just like the cacophony of sounds that fill its forest air. For example, reefs are surprisingly noisy places, and many of the noisemakers are fish.#AskAl: Do Fish Sleep? Do Fish Hear or Feel Sounds? Can Fish See Color?
Should you talk to your fish?
Talk to your fish, spend time around it, and always be the one who feeds it. In time, it will come to trust you. Just don't make the mistake of trying to touch the fish because this will frighten it.Why do fish follow you?
Because fish often rely upon a complex web of senses beyond sight, many signals - chemical, hormonal, activity and sound - will attracts them and they know when you are, and will trail you, long before you see them.Do fish like being petted?
Groupers are not the only fish that enjoy being petted, it seems. According to videos on YouTube, other species of fish that appear to like the interaction include koi, cichlid and discus fish.Do fish show affection?
Researchers have found that fish recognize each other and gather information by eavesdropping. They're capable of remembering past social interactions that they've had with other fish, and they show affection by rubbing against each other. Dr.Do fish get bored living in a tank?
Fish-keepers sometimes see their pets 'glass surfing' – swimming repeatedly up and down the glass of the tank. This could be the aquatic equivalent of the pacing of a captive tiger that's bored from a lack of stimulation. But the fish could also be stressed from an overcrowded or unfamiliar tank.How can you tell if a fish is sad?
If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress. Talk to your veterinarian about treatment and look into what may be causing the stress and alleviating it.How do I know if my fish are happy?
Generally speaking, following are some of the ways you can tell if your fish are happy.
- They swim back and forth freely and energetically around the tank.
- Quite like humans, happy fish might have a vibrant glow to their skin. ...
- They do not appear fearful of the other fish in the tank. ...
- They are breathing normally.
What are fish afraid of?
Fish are scared of their own reflection and try to fight themselves when they look at a mirror, a new study has revealed. They become even more frightened when they see their reflection making the same moves as them and appearing to fight back, found researchers.What is the smartest fish?
For fish, that title goes to manta rays. They're giant, charismatic and basically geniuses. Mantas have huge brains — the biggest of any fish — with especially developed areas for learning, problem solving and communicating.Do fish like the dark?
Fish don't like the dark because when there is no light to see, they dart around the tank, colliding with the walls, ornaments and can even become tangled in the plants. Fish need light to determine whether it is night or day, and they're scared of the sudden switch from darkness to light.Is it OK to touch your fish?
Touching Can Be Harmful to FishTouching your pet fish is usually a bad idea. It's advised to avoid touching or grabbing fish with bare hands in an aquarium unless in emergency situations. From sanitary concerns to fish safety, there are many reasons to avoid touching them altogether.