cichlids smarter than we think?

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BigDaddyMagnum

BigDaddyMagnum

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Sep 12, 2008
574
83
61
New York
whats goin on boys and gals, i have a question toward all of you cichlid keepers, see recently i started to realize, whenever i (lets not say ignore) but when im to busy to pay attention to my Tex, wether it be because of late night classes or whatever it is, my tex seems to get mad at me, or even jealous that other things get more attention and i will notice that he wrecks his tank.... just last week i was watching him and paying him attention and he was flaring for me and extending his fins fully, and right when my dog came over and i started to pet her and give her the attention he bugged out lol, yet when i leave the light on longer or give him treats my tank will remain in order but the day i ignore him or dont give treats he bugs... is it just me who seems to think that cichlids have the possibility to be smarter than we think, and my question to you all, any of this happen to any of you?
 
haha wow. Yes cichlids definitely known for their personalities. They are much more owner responsive than other fish.
 
yes they are pretty smart. they surprise me sometimes they way act. long time ago back in the day just for giggles i would tie a piece of krill onto fishing line and move it up and down and they were spooked and would not take the bait. fish in the wild have been caught before with a hook and explains why the bait has to be presented in different way to catch them but fish in aquaria never been fished so i was surprised that they still knew something was going on out of the ordinary.
 
Yeah they are smart. I had one that would try and show off in front of me, always trying to get my attention. And when another fish was front and center getting attention he would kinda like push the other out of the way so he gets the attention. So they can even get jealous. They are also aware of whats going on outside the tank. Sometimes when I am on the bed I can see them in the corner watching me.

Or when I am looking at something or doing something at the other side of the tank, they always come to investigate. And if I ignore them and pay no attention they try and get my attention by swimming around in my face, kinda like " Here I am!"
 
I think it would be interesting to know which species people find the most intelligent. Fot me it was the Texas cichlid.
 
My oscar can reconize me across the room. He comes right to the top and starts begging for food. When i do water changes he always swims against my arms like a cat. :ROFL:
 
my trimac gets mad when some one that dos not live here sits on the couch and will swim up and down that side of the tank. i love cichlids very intelligent. i have read of study's that say of all fresh water fish cichlids are the most intelligent. as such i think it is importent to spend the time to" play" with them on a dayly baises the fish do seem happyer this way.
 
I have no doubt that fish are smarter than people give them credit for no doubt at all

My fish do strange stuff as well, the smartest one i have would be my zebra tilapia
 
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