Can Fish Recognize the Faces of Their Owners?

Many people believe fish don’t have the capability to solidify lasting memories. While they don’t have a large brain capacity, studies have found that fish can quickly distinguish new terrain when surroundings in their aquariums are changed. Such studies prove that fish have the mental capability to recognize specific items they encounter daily. In lieu of this research, it’s easy to believe fish are able to recognize humans who are frequently present within their lives.

Along with the study regarding a fish’s surroundings, other studies have been conducted pertaining to the recognition abilities of their fellow species. In these studies, fish were able to recognize other fish by their ultraviolet face patterns. Such patterns cannot be seen by the human eye. These qualities essentially act as a nametag for the fish. While such specimens may look similar to humans, a fellow fish will easily recognize its peers by their differing facial patterns.

Fish are able to see outside of their tanks. Even in aquarium stores such as Aquatic Warehouse, fish will swim up to the side of the tank and look directly at someone—maybe in an effort to receive extra food. While this is a well-known fact, many people are unaware of how amazing this really is. It’s assumed that fish interact with other fish and are at least aware of the others in the tank. However, going beyond their internal environment, they have the ability to look outside and see their external environment.

If fish are able to memorize their terrain and the facial features of their fellow fish, they must also be able to recognize the faces of their owners. While there’s no scientific proof for such a theory, the studies that have been conducted lead many people to believe fish do remember their owners’ faces. If you give a fish enough time to remember you, it should be able to memorize what you look like. Fish easily associate their owners with feeding time. If they’re able to do such a thing, they must have the capability to distinguish between human beings. We can vouch for this phenomenon happening in most of our large display tanks at Aquatic Warehouse, where the fish sees the same employee feeding it and reacts to that person and not someone else.

Whether a fish is able to see a human the way people see each other is undetermined. We cannot solely conclude whether a fish can pick out their owner in a crowd—especially due to their aqueous environment, but a person singularly—yes. Unfortunately, this question may not have scientific evidence to prove this ability yet, but it’s coming. However, the various studies show a linear correlation to the theory, and it’s safe to state that fish should be able to recognize and associate their owners with varying occurrences.

If you want to keep your fish happy and healthy for years to come, you need the right supplies to maintain your tank, from aquarium monitors and controllers to nutritious fish food, Aquatic Warehouse carries everything you need. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give one of our aquarium experts a call at 858-467-9297.