Animal behavior and Koi fish
So as we approach our big Koi show of the summer, I am struggling to decide what I have learned doing fish medicine this year that I would like to share. Is it the surgeries we have done, such as little Scarlett the goldfish? We removed a tumor bigger than her head which she had been carrying around on her back for over a year. She is still swimming around and doing great, and I believe really relieved to have that big weight off. Or is it Fishy the flowerhorn cichlid with the bulging eye infection? After some great care by his guardian and some antibiotics, the big guy is doing great and searching for a mate. Or the several other Koi fish this summer we helped with their skin infections, swimming disorders, parasites, and KHV tests (all negative so far I am pleased to report).
I think ultimately that the more time I spend with fish, the more time I want to spend with fish. They are fascinating, and charming little creatures who are a real treat to get to know. I think the most important thing I have learned about fish this summer is, observing and learning more about their behavior. When caring for our fish we need to think of their mental health and emotional needs as well as their water quality. It’s well documented that the more stimulation and mental activity captive animals receive, the happier and healthier they are.
For example, fish hear very well, and have a relative intelligence. They can be taught to come when called. But Koi are the exception from most other fish. Having been bred for generations to be companions, they are much more likely to want to bond with us. Similar to the difference between a Labrador dog and a wolf hybrid, one is certainly more open to training and bonding than the other. It doesn’t mean they both can’t be an exceptional companion, it’s just that in general terms the Lab is going to be easier to get along with, especially if you don’t know much about dogs. Koi are similar, they are much more likely to bond with you than say, a flounder, or a plecostamus. However, in defense of the pleco, I didn’t think those little prehistoric thorough glass cleaners could possibly show much interest in beings on the other side, until I got a new one this year, who never fails to come out and make eye contact with me and wiggle around seemingly for attention at each feeding.
Yes fish are beautiful to look at, show off, and compete with, but they are also living creatures that feel pain and have needs. It’s our responsibility to discern what those needs are, and meet them to the best of our abilities in exchange for containing them for our enjoyment. For example, fish are social creatures and require companionship. The best example of this is how fish do better in a quarantine tank if they have a familiar buddy from the pond in there with them. There are cases, such as with Fishy the flowerhorn, who have been kept alone for so long, that although we would like for him to have a companion, he is most likely so socially disabled now that he will attack and kill most any new fish added. Yes, just like a puppy, fish need socialization, and if they don’t get it at a young age it becomes very difficult to provide them with the ideal environment we would like.
As well as socialization with their own species, fish thrive in an environment with regular “enrichment activities” as zoo keepers call them. This is time well spent creating stimulating activities for the animals, such as, foraging for food. This can be by way of either hiding the food in such a way so the animal has to work at getting it out, or unknowingly to the animal hide food in places around their environment to give them the opportunity to search for and find it. I firmly believe that hand feeding fish is an excellent enrichment activity. They have to make decisions about how they are going to react to that hand in the water, and getting them to think and react are all stimulating and helps develop neurons, creates bonding, lowers stress, and ultimately, improve health. I am teaching my aquarium fish to leap out of the water to accept treats, and of course most of the koi in our pond come when called by name.
Therefore, although some people may think we are Koi Kichi for spending so much time and attention on mere fish, they do indeed have social patterns and needs that are fascinating to learn about from the perspective of an animal behaviorist. We had one recently that was suffering from most likely a spinal cord compression injury and appeared to be paralyzed from the pectoral fins back. Poor guy just suddenly one morning could not swim anymore, and just bobbed around at the mercy of the water flow in the pond. I was very concerned for him and spent a large time investment searching for clues as to the cause of the injury. I also observed the other fish in the pond doing such things as purposefully pushing him (perhaps to help him get closer to food), and then also swimming protectively over the top of him when I was intently peering at him.
I don’t claim to know everything there is about the social order and learning capacity of Koi fish, but I can assure you these things exist, and are worth studying, learning, and observing, not only for our own enjoyment, and their health, but also for their well being. Just as keepers of zoo animals, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are not only providing for these sentient creatures excellent water quality, but also a stimulating and enriching environment. This will not only enhance their quality of life, but then also their health, as a happy animal is less stressed and prone to disease. And the happier and healthier they all are, we all benefit in the hobby. As always, happy Koi keeping!