Can Fish Smell Something Out Of The Water?

[star4]

Once a week my lot get some frozen brine shrimp & garlic. Each tank has a little pot for defrosting foods, and I put it on top of the tank to defrost. However when brine shrimp & garlic is defrosting all the fish seem to go nuts. The texas jump and hitting the lid, Vinny turns sumersaults (he cracks me up doing this) and the lodgers have bashed the thermometer off the side and hidden it somewhere this morning. I am also wet! and stink of brine shrimp and garlic because of their impatience for me to tip it in the tank, Tinker (oscar lodger) ended up nearly getting her head stuck in the pot as I was tipping it in and she was thrashing about and soaked me, but the texas (less sense) hit the pot from the other side and sent if flying out of my hand water going all over me again. I will retrieve the pot from the tank later I am not sticking my hand in a tank with feeding texas They dont go quite this silly when I defrost bloodworm in the same way which makes me think they must be able to smell the garlic

 

[Athena]

LOL sounds like fun!

Well, I guess as garlic is rather pungent, even if the tank lid is closed there are probably still little gaps where that garlic aroma can seep through.

Athena

 

[hamfist]

It's a good question.

You could test it out but going through the exact same routine but with a "placebo" substance in the pot instead of the garlicky brine shrimp.

If they still go nuts in anticipation then that'll show that they're just being smart and working out your routine for giving them that food.

I'd like to hear what happens if you try it !

 

[fluffycabbage]

sounds like fun!!

 

[star4]

It's a good question.

You could test it out but going through the exact same routine but with a "placebo" substance in the pot instead of the garlicky brine shrimp.

If they still go nuts in anticipation then that'll show that they're just being smart and working out your routine for giving them that food.

I'd like to hear what happens if you try it !

I do the same with frozen bloodworm, they go silly, lots of wagging, but not as bad as with the brine shrimp & garlic, they must be able to smell or sence at least the garlic. The lodgers are the worse as they are in the kitchen and can see if I am going in the fridge where I keep the frozen fish food.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

gotta be funny. i just use a little bowl for frozen stuff for my fish.

 

[chrisrm]

It's a good question.

You could test it out but going through the exact same routine but with a "placebo" substance in the pot instead of the garlicky brine shrimp.

If they still go nuts in anticipation then that'll show that they're just being smart and working out your routine for giving them that food.

I'd like to hear what happens if you try it !

I do the same with frozen bloodworm, they go silly, lots of wagging, but not as bad as with the brine shrimp & garlic, they must be able to smell or sence at least the garlic. The lodgers are the worse as they are in the kitchen and can see if I am going in the fridge where I keep the frozen fish food.

I have also wondered this as i melt frozen krill & garlic in a shot glass and leave it on top of the tank to defrost and mine go crazy too. i just thought it was because i go close to the tank

 

[AstonN24vantage]

my fish don't really realize until i open the top and they know something is going on

 

[kribensis12]

It sure sounds like they can smell it! I feed my fish Spirulina Garlic Flakes, and boy do they go crazy for it!

 

[simonas]

when I cook bacon and egg I can noticeably see my fish get more excited!!!!

 

[bae1994]

star you have rios dont you?

if so maybe the lights heat is evaporating enhancing the smell

 

[star4]

when I cook bacon and egg I can noticeably see my fish get more excited!!!!

Last year I was sitting next to the tank with my big plec in eating a tomato & cucumber sandwich, he was going nuts then jumped and broke the brace bar


Bae all my fish are completely nuts, must be something to do with their loony keeper

 

[bae1994]

ahh makes sense

 

[mbsqw1d]

yeh but, WHERES THE SCIENCE!?!?

...oops, don't know what came over me..

I didnt realise fish could even 'smell'. Well, i've learnt something today

 

[star4]

yeh but, WHERES THE SCIENCE!?!?

...oops, don't know what came over me..

I didnt realise fish could even 'smell'. Well, i've learnt something today

They do have a sense of smell but not as we do, thats why I was wondering if their nares picked up sent out of the water.

Science bit
http/indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/can-fish-smell/