- Joined
- Sep 6, 2017
- Messages
- 3,518
- Reaction score
- 2,850
Tank size and longevity are not really signs of happiness. Some of the oldest living goldfish have been kept in bowls. Im not going to look up particular examples but these fish easily live to their 50’s.
I can tell you there is a definite behavioral difference between that bowl fish and a goldfish in a pond. My pond fish identity me vs. other humans. I can hand feed, someone else can not. They also spawn every year. Goldfish in a bowl barely even move, or acknowledge any going ons outside their glass.
I have no scientific studies to link, but i am sure there is a environment size that the behavior of a fish changes.
Same is true of Betta Fish. I always thought they were colorful but very boring fish, until I saw one in a 10 gallon tank, never seen one so active and full of life. While I don't feel that happy is an appropriate term for fish, I do think that content or stressed definitely applies to them.