My Fish Are Happy!

Are they really?
There isn’t a definitive way to tell if a fish is truly “happy.” Breeding or eating doesn’t necessarily mean a fish is happy. First of all, fish don’t have the brain function that humans use to define and experience happiness. They can’t make facial expressions, communicate feelings, or express joy the way humans can. Happiness, as we understand it, is more than just an internal state—it’s something we express outwardly. The phrase “happy-go-lucky” didn’t come out of nowhere, after all.

A better way to gauge how your fish are doing is to assess whether they are healthy. This involves meeting key criteria, such as:

• Ensuring water quality is appropriate for their species.
• Housing them in a properly sized aquarium.
• Keeping them with compatible tankmates, if applicable.
• Feeding them a high-quality, varied diet.
• Providing proper care and preventative maintenance.

Once you’ve addressed these basics, you can look for additional signs that your fish are living healthy lives. These might include:

• A strong appetite.
• Displaying natural behaviors and activity levels.
• Growing and showing vibrant colors.
• Breeding behavior.

However, none of these signs alone guarantees your fish are healthy. For instance, Betta fish are often kept in poor conditions but still manage to build bubble nests—a behavior tied to reproduction, not comfort or well-being. Mother Nature programs living creatures to procreate even under stress or hardship. For example, salmon spawn in extreme conditions, sacrificing their own lives to pass on their genetics. Would you call that “happy”?

Another example is schooling fish. They may gather tightly together, but imagine being surrounded by 100 people, huddling to avoid a pack of lions. Would that make you feel “happy,” or would it just be a survival mechanism?

So, “happy” isn’t the best way to describe how your fish are doing. The term lacks scientific backing and can be misleading when discussing their well-being. Instead, ask yourself:

• Are my fish healthy?
• If so, how and why are they healthy?

Now, let’s explore what “happy” really means! 🙂

OK, OK, OK… if you really want to see what “HAPPY” looks like, here’s a cool video. It shows a Myosin (Kinesin) protein carrying an endorphin along a microtubule in the human brain. THIS is what happiness looks like!