Can Fish Feel When We Are Upset/Sad?

[icedearth15324]

I just wanted to know if anyone else has ever experienced anything similar to this.

The experience in particular is with my Magnificent Foxface and my Sixline Wrasse.

Yesterday morning I took my girlfriend who lives with me to the emergency room. When we got home around 10am was when I first noticed this. My foxface and sixline were both at the front of the tank swimming back and forth, which is very rare. My foxface is usually extremely shy and rarely ever comes out, except for food. And he was swimming back and forth quite a bit. Then this morning at 5am I had to take her to the hospital for surgery, and when I was downstairs, the foxface again was out and swimming, which is incredibly unheard of for that time. Usually when there are no lights he sleeps in a cave and changes his colors.

Then when we came home today from the hospital again there were the foxface and sixline swimming back and forth super excited looking to see her. They never act that way, even when they are hungry.

So my question is, has anyone else ever experienced strange behavior from their fish during times of intense emotion besides just being excited for food? Have you ever seen them act strangely as if they somehow know something is going on? Or am I just imagining this because it was a traumatic experience and my foxface decided to act differently?

 

[TangPolice]

I'd have to say No but all 3 of my tanks anyone walks up the stairs ,down the stairs, past the tank and everyones Hungry and waiting at the glass ... Speedy recovery to your Girl
Bob

 

[reefjedi82]

It may sound crazy but had you put your hands in there when you were upset you body functions from a small amounts of electricity which could possibly result in some type of pulse when inside water and send a channel of distress just a thought my clown can sense if he startles me if I get to close to his anemone and don't flinch he is fine but if he startles me he will nip this fish may be small but far from dumb

 

[madjoe]

I doubt it but who knows. If i walk towards the fridge where i keep the fish food my fish so know its inther and all of a sudden they all r un the corner watching me waiting for food they do learn and r smart imo but bot sure if they can tell if u upset or not. Most importantly hope gf surgury goes well and she is ok .