Can fish die because of loneliness?

[12 Volt Man]

I don't think a fish can die of loneliness.

but they can feel more comfortable in a school if they are schooling fish.


eg. buy one red parrot cichlid and they are fairly timid.

buy a few and they are up and about everywhere.

 

[maronov]

Hmm... so what is wrong with my Cory then? He is really pale, doesn't move... stopped eating.

 

[J double R]

Hmm... so what is wrong with my Cory then? He is really pale, doesn't move... stopped eating.

perhaps he is sick. fish can have a multitude of illnesses (to include internal parasites) that will not show any outward symptoms other than lethargy and lack of interest in food until it is too late. just because a fish doesnt 'look' sick doesnt mean he isnt.

 

[maronov]

perhaps he is sick. fish can have a multitude of illnesses (to include internal parasites) that will not show any outward symptoms other than lethargy and lack of interest in food until it is too late. just because a fish doesnt 'look' sick doesnt mean he isnt.

So then it's impossible to diagnose... I'm supposed to wait for it to show obvious signs or just die?

 

[Fungi]

*Gasps* The same thing has happened to my male swordtail and I was just going to post about it!! ... he doesn't "look" sick, but he's sure acting like it.

You're not alone, recently one of my angels was exhibiting the same symptoms, loss of apppetite, generally disinterested, if it's impossible to diagnose the cause what can we do?

 

[swany]

It sounds like internal parasites. It is unfortunate he is not eating. You might be able to bring him back with Jungle Parasite Guard.

Paleness can be a sign of blood loss due to the parasites feeding on the blood of the fish.

I don't know if fish can acutally die of loneliness but I have had fish do much better when they get a friend of their own kind.

 

[H3D]

i dont believe fish 'feel' lonely, or anything of the sort. they may be disoriented or stressed due to not having more of their kind, but i think that in optimum tank conditions this will not be an issue, but the stress may amplify any other problems that arise from other issues.

I strongly believe there are some social fish that need to be around others of their own kind. When they are not around there own kind they exhibit visible physiological responses. "Loneliness" is not a feeling. It is a term humans use to describe certain physiological responses to being alone that cannot be explained otherwise. There is no reason this same term cannot be applied to the fish that exhibit certain similar physiological responses.