Is it possible for fish to get lonely?

Question

I know that is has been proven that fish only have a 10 second memory. But i have had two fish for the past 5 years and one just died this morning. And i cleaned out the tank, because i didn't want dead fish water around the live one, but he has been swimming around for the past few hours differently than he used to. he is swimming slower and not eating. is it possible that he can be lonely?

Answer 1

He's not lonely, he's feeling the effects of the water change.  

**

Answer 2

I don't know much about fish but I do they believe that everyone does get lonely. You should get him a friend and he will be back to normal.

Helen

Answer 3

Fish having that short of a memory is bull.  They can remember their owners and habits.  It is possible your fish is mourning.  Check out this video.  Youtube search for "goldfish mourning" and there are more.

Answer 4

Of course they can be lonley. That they have a short memory doesn't mean that they can't get accustomed to being always with a companion. For example, by instinct, clownfish are lonley when they are not together with a sea anemone. I recommend that you add a new fish and determine your older's fish behavior afterwards.

Answer 5

I think it depends entirely on the breed. Certain fish (bettas and goldfish for example) do fine by themselves. Other fish like to have tankmates. I know I had a pictus catfish and when he was by himself (there were other fish in the tank, but no other pictus cats) he would swim around the tank crazily all the time. When I put another pictus in there with him, he calmed down.