This week's blog is a result of my own musing on my "aquarium blog" and ownership of fish as pets. Feel free to read last week's blog about the mental health benefits of being around aquariums.
For years, fish have been dismissed as cold, instinct-driven creatures, seemingly incapable of complex emotions. Unlike mammals, they don’t have expressive faces, and their behaviors are often misinterpreted as robotic or simplistic. However, emerging scientific research suggests that fish are far more emotionally sophisticated than we once believed. From experiencing stress and fear to forming social bonds and even showing signs of pleasure, fish may have rich inner lives that deserve our attention.
Studies have revealed that fish can experience pain and distress in ways strikingly similar to mammals. When exposed to harmful stimuli, they not only exhibit avoidance behaviors but also show physiological stress responses, such as increased cortisol levels. Some species, like cichlids, have even demonstrated signs of anxiety and depression when placed in isolation or deprived of stimulating environments. These findings challenge the outdated notion that fish lack the neural capacity for emotions, urging us to reconsider how we treat them in captivity, fishing industries, and aquariums.
Beyond fear and stress, fish also display positive emotions and complex social interactions. Cleaner fish, for instance, build trust-based relationships with their "clients," remembering past interactions and adjusting their behavior accordingly. Certain species, such as angelfish and catfish, form long-term partnerships, showing signs of companionship and distress when separated. Even playful behaviors have been observed in species like manta rays, suggesting that fish are not just surviving but actively engaging with their environments in ways that bring them comfort and stimulation.
Recognizing the emotional lives of fish has profound ethical implications. If they can feel fear, stress, and even joy, then practices such as commercial fishing, recreational angling, and inadequate aquarium care take on a new moral weight. It’s time we shift our perspective, not only appreciating fish as fascinating aquatic beings but also treating them with the same ethical considerations we extend to other animals. As science continues to uncover the depth of their emotions, one thing becomes clear—fish deserve far more respect and compassion than they currently receive.
Sincerely,
KJ Landis
@superiorself on Instagram and X
SuperiorSelf channel on Youtube
[email protected]
Books available everywhere!
For years, fish have been dismissed as cold, instinct-driven creatures, seemingly incapable of complex emotions. Unlike mammals, they don’t have expressive faces, and their behaviors are often misinterpreted as robotic or simplistic. However, emerging scientific research suggests that fish are far more emotionally sophisticated than we once believed. From experiencing stress and fear to forming social bonds and even showing signs of pleasure, fish may have rich inner lives that deserve our attention.
Studies have revealed that fish can experience pain and distress in ways strikingly similar to mammals. When exposed to harmful stimuli, they not only exhibit avoidance behaviors but also show physiological stress responses, such as increased cortisol levels. Some species, like cichlids, have even demonstrated signs of anxiety and depression when placed in isolation or deprived of stimulating environments. These findings challenge the outdated notion that fish lack the neural capacity for emotions, urging us to reconsider how we treat them in captivity, fishing industries, and aquariums.
Beyond fear and stress, fish also display positive emotions and complex social interactions. Cleaner fish, for instance, build trust-based relationships with their "clients," remembering past interactions and adjusting their behavior accordingly. Certain species, such as angelfish and catfish, form long-term partnerships, showing signs of companionship and distress when separated. Even playful behaviors have been observed in species like manta rays, suggesting that fish are not just surviving but actively engaging with their environments in ways that bring them comfort and stimulation.
Recognizing the emotional lives of fish has profound ethical implications. If they can feel fear, stress, and even joy, then practices such as commercial fishing, recreational angling, and inadequate aquarium care take on a new moral weight. It’s time we shift our perspective, not only appreciating fish as fascinating aquatic beings but also treating them with the same ethical considerations we extend to other animals. As science continues to uncover the depth of their emotions, one thing becomes clear—fish deserve far more respect and compassion than they currently receive.
Sincerely,
KJ Landis
@superiorself on Instagram and X
SuperiorSelf channel on Youtube
[email protected]
Books available everywhere!
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