mine pushed some plants around, tore one or two up, ate some live ones, and loved to chomp on the bulbs and roots.

No more plants for him. Though he can be quite peaceful with them.


benny, you are in for some fun times. Wait for the tail shaking/vibrating, charging at reflections, freaking out and ramming into things for no reason ... like a kid throwing tantrums. Teen angst. That is when mine did most of the tank renovations, must not have liked how I set it up. Clearing gravel or making piles and changing plants around as he saw fit.

Yes, I admit he is probably going to be a handful. Of course we are putting our emotions into the mind of a fish. I really believe, though, that they know and act accordingly.

He has left the Marimo balls alone so far, but his other actions, which have nothing to do with this topic have become rather comical to say the least.

well, i would debate all day and all year that animals exhibit true emotions, including depression, joy, fear, excitement, love.

I have seen too much in my days to discount it.

If one were to say they don't, then the only way I could agree with that is to say humans don't either. We are but animals, and our reactions are nothing more than learned responses gained from evolutionary necessity.

Fish, birds, other animals have been known to mate for life. It is a fact that dolphins engage in sexual activity for purely pleasurable experiences, not only for procreation. Different species of animals have been know to work together to achieve a common goal, and other species have used tools and ingenuity. Some animals have communication levels that surpass our own, some animals have been proven to have intelligence and problem solving skills.


Let us just say that I have not made this conclusion on a whim. I don't care what belief system you subscribe to (science/evolution, religion, humanist) ... I know what I have observed over time from various animals in various situations. I feel this is a fact, based on this evidence, and the contrary conclusion of thinking animals are emotionless automatons is more of a myth to fit into other theories and acceptance of food chain placements and make humans feel extra special and unique.


It is all good though. I respect others opinions, even if I strongly disagree.

Hi again,

I just wanted to reply to the last posting. If you read my second sentence it stated: "I really believe, though, that they know and act accordingly." I was going to continue more on the subject but we were writing under a topic entitled Plants, not behavior. I wanted to be an Animal Behaviorist after high school, because I had and have been involved with animals all my life. My guidance counselor laughed at me and said there was no such thing, and unfortunately for me I believed him. That was back in 1967 and he left a lot to be desired.

So I agree with you totally!

Gotta go, my "Toad"(Oscar),is knocking up against the lid on the fish tank. I'm late for dinner.