CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Can Oscars recognize their owners?
My O appears to let me gently brush his fin with a clean finger, and doesnt run when i stare at the tank. Do fish get comfortable with one specific person after a period of time?

Absolutly.... They will learn to recognize you. More so with Oscars then any other fish. Although my red devil does the same >.=)

-S42K

My O's definately recognize me. Not too long ago I had a friend who wanted to meet them. I was excited to show her how Oscar swims up to the front of the tank and wags his tail excitedly when he sees me. However, when he (and Al too) saw her, they both dropped to the bottom of the tank - and Al even hid behind the rock. However, when she left the room, they both came back out and were their normal selves again. Smart fish!

Yes, I have jumbo albino oscars and one in particularly is very attached to me. When she sees me near the tank she come to the front to be petted, she seems very content and happy when I am around. I am the only person she will do this with. The oscars all have their own personality and some seem more sensitive than others.

Oh yes they are. They have mood swings. I got mine together from the same tank.. I picked the two that stayed together at the store. I sat and watched them for about an hour.. I say always buy two, They keep eachother busy when I'm at work. Oscars are so smart they like me and don't care for my girlfriend at all. They beg my for food and loved to be hand fed. And if I ignore them and they can see me... They will pick up rocks and bang on the glass with them..  LOL then if that didn't work they will hit the lid of my tank making even more noise. I have a turtle with them.. a gulf mud turtle. they love him and they play and make a mes out of my talk.. moved all the rocks and the plants.. they buddy up with some tank mates and dislike others.. I was a diehard African Cichlid owner for there bright colors.. Then I got my Oscars.. needless to say. I gave away $800.00+ in (african) fish and kept the oscars. I love them.. my children

Good discussion, but you posted a reply almost six years after the last post in the thread -- remember to check the dates! The people that were involved in the discussion are long long gone, probably in nursing homes by now LOL. But we still love ya, bhwm72, we're laughing with you, not at you! --M