Betta fishes are actually very smart. With proper training, they can recognize their owners and do a lot of tricks. Some examples of these tricks are; they can go swim through hoops and can even shoot a ball to a goal. Not only that, but they also exhibit some behaviors that ensure their survival.

Are you surprised? Well, you will be even more surprised as you read through this article as the betta fish somehow garnered a bit of a bad reputation. The truth is, they are also fascinating fishes which have their own quirks and personalities.

So keep on reading to find out more about them!

The Betta Fish: In A Nutshell

One might not think that a betta fish is smart as first when you go to pet shops, they are always presented in a separate plastic bag. Therefore, you may think that they are just “disposable” fish. Second, there is really not a lot of intrigue about betta fishes.

First off, just to get it out of the way, betta fishes are separated in plastic bags as it is for their safety and the safety of other fishes as well. They are also called Siamese fighting fish as like what their name suggests, they love to fight other fish, especially the males.

The truth is, this fish requires a lot of stimulation and even space. Many people keep than in tiny tanks or even in jars! If you want to get a betta fish, we explain here what kind of tank they really need!

By default, they are territorial and aggressive so they need to have the means to express their personality.

Although it is not advised to house male bettas in one tank (as they will fight, even to the death) you can easily “handle” and train a single male or female betta.

 Are Betta Fish Smart? Yes, They Are!

Let us now go over the reasons as to why the betta fish is actually a smart fish. As we have mentioned earlier, it has a lot to do with proper training, but they also have instinctive behaviors that prove that they are one of the smarter fishes in existence. Let us take a look at the following.

1. Betta Fish Can Conserve Oxygen

It is interesting to note that bettas have a unique organ called, labyrinth organ. Simply put, this organ allows them to breathe air that comes from the surface. In turn, they can survive in waters that are low in oxygen.

Some examples of these waters are stagnant ponds, rice paddies, and polluted waters.

More than that, they also have the ability to survive “fish out of water” instances for a short period of time, given that they are still kept moist. So given these instances, one might think that bettas are not that worried when they lack oxygen, right? But no, that is not the case.

In fact, when they feel that the oxygen level is low, they will conserve their use of oxygen. Further, they will then go to the surface and replenish their oxygen supply and do not move so much so as to save on energy and oxygen.

But what is most surprising is that they also take in water in their mouths. Why is that? The reason is that, so they can keep themselves moist when they go out of the water.

In cases where they know that their leaping or jumping may lead them to leave the safe haven of water, they “pack” some water with them.

This is the reason why your betta who flung himself out of his aquarium is still alive on your carpet. Funny as it may sound, but maybe for the last hour, he has been squirting water on himself.

Just have a look at the betta fish in the video below jumping out of the water to get to the next “pool”. This is absolutely amazing!

2. Male Bettas Create Bubble Nests

This has a lot to do with their mating habits and rituals. What happens is that after such an elaborate courtship ritual with a female betta which urges her to release her eggs, the male betta will gather the eggs in his mouth.

He will then spit those eggs in a bubble nest. Why do they do this? To ensure the eggs are kept moist and are oxygenated properly. Not a lot of fishes do this as more often than not, once the eggs are fertilized they will just leave them be for a predator to eat or what have you.

But for betta fish, they want to make sure that the eggs successfully hatch. Which is why they go through the extra effort of creating bubble nests.

3. Male Bettas Guard Their Offspring

This is yet another exhibition of their intelligence as they want to ensure that their kind successfully lives on. You might think that this is just a simple act, but not a lot of fishes guard their offspring. In fact, they may either cannibalize them or leave them to be food for other prey.

It is a different story with the male betta fish. After they finish building their bubble nest, they will then guard them against other fishes that may destroy the nest or eat the eggs. They also keep the female betta fish away from the nest.

They will stand guard until all the eggs hatch. Only then will the male betta fish move on with his life. This is clearly an exhibition of awareness as he wants his next of kin to survive.

4. Betta Fish Can Recognize Their Owners

If you interact often with your betta fish, he will eventually realize that you are his owner. You will notice that he will start following your finger as you run it through the outside of his tank.

More than that, when you are walking near his aquarium, you will see that he will follow your every move (much like how a clingy dog follows you around).

Once your betta fish exhibits this type of behavior, it means that he or she trusts you and that you can train him or her to do more complicated tricks.

They do not only recognize their owners, but they also know which one is their owner’s voice and face. You might want to try this out with some members of your family or friends.

Have them stand near the aquarium and you will see that your betta fish will hide or become aggressive to others. But when you place your face near their aquarium and they hear your voice, they will come out of hiding and try to interact with you.

5. Betta Fish Can Be Trained To Do Tricks

We are not only talking about simple tricks here where they will feed on your hand, but they can also do complex tricks. A good example is you can train your betta fish to jump and then hit your finger. For this trick, your betta fish can master it in just two to three weeks.

All you need to do is to wet your finger and put a betta pellet on it. You must hold it slightly on top of the water and you will see your betta will try to jump over your finger. If it proves to be a bit difficult for him, you can simply lower your finger.

After a while, you can pull your finger higher until he gets the point of the trick. Once he gets what you want him to do, he will jump over your finger even without the use of food.

You can also teach your betta fish to jump through a loop. Have a look at the video below! It is unbelievable how smart betta fish are! (Keep in mind, the video below show the betta fish in its training tank)

As for the complex tricks, you can purchase training kits for your betta fish like this one (click here). Some of these kits include swimming hoops and other obstacle courses.

What is great about these training kits is that there can be an automatic latch wherein it will release food if the trick is done successfully, even without your supervision.

The post These 5 Facts Show How Unbelievably Smart Betta Fish Are appeared first on Water World Craze.

While most people think that fish aren’t especially smart, you have probably noticed that your angel likes to interact with you and can distinguish you from other people.

Which raises some questions!

So, do angelfish recognize their owners? Yes, angelfish do recognize their owners and can remember a human face for months or years. Not only that, but angelfish also develop a bond with their people. Obviously, this bond is a bit different from the one you would have with a cat or a dog, but it is a bond nonetheless.

I know this is rather short, but it will do if you are looking for a quick answer. Continue reading if you want to know how your angel’s brain works and what are the ways to train your angelfish to recognize you.

Can An Angelfish Recognize Its Owner?

While angelfish are highly intelligent, fish in general, aren’t typically considered being especially smart. However, recent studies have shown that we have underestimated the capacity and brainpower of fish.

All of us have two eyes, a nose, and a mouth on our faces, and we can recognize and differentiate each other based on subtle facial differences. That’s thanks to our complex brains that have the power and ability to process these differences.

Other mammals and even some birds have this ability! But do angelfish?

Angelfish, like most other fish, have quite small brains relative to body size compared to other vertebrates. But while small, the brain of an angelfish is very complex and has a great capacity for memory, intelligence, and learning among other things.

While it seems unbelievable, angelfish, in fact, can recognize human faces. But not only that, an angelfish can identify you as its owner in a group of people!

The angelfish’s ability to distinguish and recognize faces is a very big deal because no one thought that their small brains have the capacity to do so.

However, thanks to researchers and studies, we now know that despite being small, a brain of an angelfish can form complex patterns and store information for months or years.

The high intelligence enables the angelfish to not only see human faces but to also store information for later.

Thus, every time you go to feed your angelfish, it will see you, store information about you, and consequently, recognize you every time you go near the tank.

Furthermore, your angelfish also has the ability to distinguish you from other people and will be able to recognize you even if you are hosting a party in your living room.

Can Angelfish Bond With Their Owners?

Now that you know that your angelfish can recognize you and easily pick you up in a police lineup, be on your best behavior whenever you are near the tank! But is it possible that your pet fish has some feelings for you and that you share a special bond?

While most owners feel like they have a bond with their angels, many believe that it’s one-sided and that they are just the person who drops the food into the tank.

However, studies have shown that fish can memorize their owners and show affection by jumping, rapidly swimming, flipping, and asking for food.

At some point, you have probably noticed this sort of behavior and that your angel has become excited the moment you entered the room.

This behavior may seem a bit surprising, considering that you can’t interact with your pet angelfish the same way you would with a dog or a cat.

But even if you can’t pet or cuddle with your angel, it knows that you are its caregiver who besides providing food ensures a happy and healthy living environment.

How To Train An Angelfish To Recognize You?

When properly cared for, it doesn’t take long for angelfish to recognize and memorize their owners! But, if you got a new angel you may want to speed up the process a little bit.

Since they are very intelligent, you can easily train your angel to recognize and bond with you.

Here is what you should do:

1. Choose A Healthy Angelfish

It is extremely important to choose and take a healthy angel home!

Unfortunately, angelfish have a high mortality rate due to their susceptibility to diseases. Most commonly seen culprits are highly contagious angelfish virus that is carried by recovering survivors and parasites such as gill flukes.

Low-quality pet shops are breeding ground for internal parasites and bacteria, and unless angels aren’t quarantined they will be exposed to them.

Thus, make sure that you find a reputable pet shop that is invested in keeping their tanks clean and angels healthy before you decide to purchase a pet fish from them.

To avoid losing your new angel, look for ones that are active and have intact fins. A healthy angelfish should move around and feel the presence of people around it.

2. Provide The Best Living Environment

Once you bring an angelfish home, ensure that you have the perfect living environment for it.

Angels tend to grow a lot, hence you will need a larger tank that will allow your fish to grow into and swim freely.

Also, angels like to have hiding areas, hence the tank should be properly decorated. Add plants, live ones are always better than fake plants, driftwood, rocks, and other decorations to make the tank more appealing for your new angelfish.

We have created a couple of articles that will help you with providing the best living environment for your angelfish possible. We highly recommend reading them!

3. Place The Angelfish In An Active Area

Angelfish have a social nature, so they don’t have to be in a quiet place. Instead, place the angelfish tank in a room where you spend most of your time.

Generally, a living room is a good location, since it’s the place most people spend a lot of time and interact with other people. This way, your angel will be able to see you more and learn to recognize you more easily.

4. Feed Your Angelfish

Feeding is an important aspect of caring for angelfish and it will give you an opportunity for one-on-one interaction.

Try to offer your angel food by putting your fingers close to the water and wait to see if it will swim and take the food from you.

This type of feeding will help spark a bond and make it easier for your angel to remember and recognize you.

5. Play With Your Angelfish

Playing with angelfish includes anything that makes your angel swim with excitement.

Depending on your angel’s personality and likes you can get it to play with a ball in front of the tank, or place your finger and move it around the tank without tapping on it.

Of course, for the angelfish this will be more hunting than playing, still, you are interacting with your angelfish. (Source)

6. Take Care Of Your Angelfish

If you notice that your angelfish isn’t swimming around, seems anxious, or is having a health problem, help it right away!

There is no better way to get your angel to recognize you than taking care of it when it is feeling blue.

The post Do Angelfish Recognize Their Owners? appeared first on Water World Craze.

How smart is your goldfish? They are smarter than most people believe, but in comparison to other fish, they have a lower IQ level.

Most people think that goldfish only have a three-second memory, much like Dory on the beloved Disney movie, Finding Nemo. This isn’t the case. Studies have shown that your fish have longer memories than you think. In fact, it’s even possible to train your pets some simple tricks.

How smart are my goldfish?

Studies have shown that goldfish have an IQ of about 30 – 40. In a human, we wouldn’t really consider that to be a sign of intelligence, but they are far ahead of the low bar we humans have set for them.

In fact, they have, in some cases, shown more intelligence than some warm-blooded animals.

Goldfish are a member of the carp family, which also includes koi. Fish in the carp family have shown that they have memories at least three months long. In some cases, studies have suggested their long term memory is twice the length.

Your goldfish can recognize you (we have created an entire article on that – read it here!), respond to music cues and can see the same spectrum of color that humans can. Even young goldfish have a harder time seeing the color blue, much like human babies.

Goldfish have also been trained by scientists and young enthusiasts alike to do different things such as:

• Recall sounds
• Move through mazes
• Recognize different colors
• Swim through hoops
• Push balls around

So the next time someone says, “Oh, you just have fish,” you can tell them that you can train them to do tricks just like you can train your dog.

How do you measure the intelligence of a goldfish?

When we think of intelligent animals we think of sentient animals, like dogs or cats. It’s easy to imagine a stream of consciousness for your dog and even give him a voice. Goldfish don’t exactly give the impression that they have any thoughts. We tend to think they only have instincts.

Part of being sentient is having a sense of “self” and some level of emotions. Through many studies goldfish have been found to have a level of fear, this is an emotion that shows a level of memory and cognition.

This means that the fish is smart enough to remember when something may cause pain or a bad experience.

Fish can also feel pain, discomfort and their moods can change depending on the conditions of their aquarium, showing they have a recognition of well-being.

In 2019, a fish called the cleaner wrasse passed a test called the Mirror Test. This fish showed that it recognized itself in a mirror. Scientists placed a colored mark on the fish and the fish tried to scrape it off.

This showed that the fish understood that the mark is not supposed to be there. It didn’t react the same to a transparent mark, or if the mark was on the mirror. The fish could also tell if there was a different fish across from it, and didn’t attempt to remove the mark.

This means your goldfish could have an understanding of its basic self. How cool is that?

Goldfish are used in scientific studies

Because Goldfish can be trained, they are used widely in scientific studies around the world. In fact, they are second only to mice.

Scientists have used goldfish to try to understand memory and learning. Some of the studies have included running the fish through mazes and measuring their ability to remember their environment, which they can do well.

Others have included studies with music to see how the fish react to different sounds. Scientists found that goldfish will react to jazz and classical music. So if you want your pets to have a good day while you’re at work, leave some Bach running for them.

Goldfish have also shown their ability to differentiate between colors. When fed with their food around a red leggo, they learn that color means they are getting fed. Later on, they will respond quickly to that color looking for food.

With the newer studies emerging, showing that fish are sentient, it’s possible that there may be a change in laws regarding fish. They may even be offered some of the same protections that other pets, like cats, might get.

How can I train my fish?

Like most animals, goldfish are mostly motivated by food. So if you’re expecting to train your fish, you will have to be patient because you don’t want to overfeed them. Goldfish can and will eat to the point of death if the food is made readily available.

Also, don’t expect your goldfish to have a large number of tricks up their sleeves. While their memory is better than originally thought, they can only remember so much.

The fish with the record number of tricks is in the Guinness Book of World Records for remembering ten different tricks.

These fish are trained regularly and unless you have lots of extra time, you may find it difficult to get your fish to that point. If possible, do the training at the same time of day.

This will help your fish develop a routine that they will eventually remember. Once you get that down pat you can show your pet off to your friends.

There are some basic things you will need to do if you want to train your fish. The first is familiarizing them with yourself. Try to interact with them on a daily basis and, if you can, have them eat out of your fingers. This will take time.

Here are some more tips to help you along with the training:

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your fish. Reward them for behaviors that you want by giving them treats.

Use tools

Use a special tool to feed your fish. They will eventually come to associate that tool with food. Aquarium Tweezers like these will do the trick.

Use the same method over and over again

Give your fish some sort of indication that the food is coming. You may have to tap on the glass or have a specific piece of lego that you put in the tank. This will let your fish know to look for food.

Consistency Is Key

Be consistent in your training. Fish may have longer memories than most believe, but they need to have the same actions reinforced repeatedly so it’s ingrained in their long term memory. You will need to start by familiarizing them with your tweezers and your finger tap.

Provide optimal living conditions

Make sure your fish are happy and healthy. If your goldfish are bored, overcrowded or ill they will be less likely to participate or cooperate with you.

Many people love the idea of keeping goldfish in a bowl. Most of the time, a bowl is not an optimal tank for goldfish.

If you still want to keep your goldfish in a bowl, we have some outlines you should follow to make it work and to show you how much work it will be. Read more about that here!

For some ideas of tricks, you can teach your goldfish, watch the video below.

What tools do I need to train my fish?

The most important tool you will need will be food. Pick food that can easily be given in small amounts. This is how you’ll motivate your little one to do what you want.

You may also need some kind of feeding device unless you plan to just use your fingers. Aquarium tweezers will work, but you can also try other things like feeding tongs or feeding clips. They just need to be long enough to get down to the bottom of the tank so you can guide your fish.

Other things to consider are:

• Hoops
• Ping pong balls
• Limbo setups
• Tunnels
• Mazes

The post Here Is How Incredibly Smart Goldfish Really Are appeared first on Water World Craze.

This is one of the least-studied animals out there, and one question that many scientists have wanted to answer is whether or not a goldfish has the mental capacity to recognize its owner.

The answer is most likely yes. Many people believe that goldfish can recognize and remember the faces of their owners. It is also possible that they have the capability of distinguishing their owner from a stranger.

So, despite the fact that you might have thought of goldfish as being dumb, they actually have quite a few impressive qualities.

In this article, we will talk about some of the mental capacities that goldfish have, as well as their capability of recognizing their owners.

Goldfish Can Recognize Their Owners

Despite the fact that goldfish have tiny brains, they actually have a lot more power than we might realize. In comparison to some of the other fish in the animal kingdom, goldfish are rather smart and have many cognitive capabilities associated with memory.

Their vision allows them to see you clearly

Goldfish can see the four primary colors and four different cone cells. Since this means that they have a rather clear vision, they can see you as you approach the tank or enter the room the tank is in.

They have a memory span of three months

Unlike the common 3-second myth, goldfish actually have a memory span that lasts 3 months. So, over time, your goldfish will be able to remember you and associate different colors, sounds, and more with you.

Goldfish have the ability to sense time

If you feed your goldfish at the same time every day, they will be able to remember that. Some people notice that their goldfish will start to swim toward the top of the tank when they realize that it’s almost time to be fed.

And over time, if you are the primary person who feeds your goldfish, they will start to associate you with food. Many people who own goldfish noticed that their goldfish would swim to the top of the tank when they enter the room- most likely because the fish are expecting to be fed.

What goldfish owners say

There are many people who believe that their goldfish recognize them due to the behaviors that the fish display. For example, a stranger might enter the room or approach the tank, which will cause the goldfish to hide behind a plant or toy.

But when the owner approaches, goldfish might feel more relaxed. It has been shown that goldfish will start to feel less threatened by humans if they have had constant visual contact.

So, if your goldfish starts to see you more and more often, it will start to feel less threatened by your presence. And since goldfish have the ability to distinguish faces, it will be able to set you apart from other people who might be with you.

Some people will notice their fish acting in a more favorable manner toward them, including swimming toward the front of the tank or swimming at a faster pace.

What Does Research Say?

A scientific study was conducted by Oxford University in 2016 about the memories and recognition of fish. While the species studied was archerfish, the people conducting the study also believe that it will apply to other species of fish, including goldfish.

The researchers would show fish two different faces and were encouraged to spit at one of the faces using food. Then, once the fish would seem to get used to one of the faces, many other people’s faces began to get shown.

The fish were able to choose the correct face most of the time, which is certainly an accomplishment since people have mostly the same features, especially members of the same family.

An Australian biologist Culum Brown in his interview for Vox told that a lot of species of fish are able to recognize individuals, as well as the difference between predators and non-predators.

He even wrote a scientific essay in which he argues that fish are much more intelligent than we believe (we show you in detail how smart goldfish are here). They are able to learn from one another.

This also comes into play when you’re feeding your goldfish, he argued, because fish are able to associate certain times and places with certain activities.

Not too much research has been conducted on goldfish for this specific question, however.

But since we know that goldfish have rather long memory spans, they are capable of seeing and hearing clearly, and they can get used to their environment, it is likely to assume that goldfish will also be able to remember their owners.

Many people who have goldfish can attest to this fact; they say that their goldfish act differently around them than other people.

How to Get Your Goldfish to Recognize You

When you first purchase a goldfish, you might notice that it is acting timid and shy. Of course, goldfish tend to be scared of humans and anything much larger than they are. This is why it’s important that you give it some time.

Remember: goldfish have a memory span of 3 months.

This means that it might take some time for your goldfish to get used to you and its environment.

The best way for you to get your goldfish to start recognizing you is to spend a lot of time near the tank. If your tank is in the living room, for example, spend a lot of free time there. The more your goldfish can see your face, especially at different angles, the better.

Try to be the only person who feeds them.

If there are other people in your family, try to make sure that you’re the only one feeding the goldfish. As we said earlier, goldfish have the capability of recognizing their owners through food.

If you’re the one who is consistently feeding your goldfish, then they will gradually start to recognize you.

Don’t tap at your tank and try to scare your goldfish.

The more you scare your goldfish, the less likely they are to be able to remember you- at least, in a positive way. If you act calmly around the tank and avoid scaring your fish, the chances are higher that your goldfish will swim out in the open when they notice you.

Important Things to Know About Goldfish

They most likely have feelings

It seems that, after some preliminary studies have been conducted, they are indeed capable of having feelings. They have intelligence, needs for socialization, and emotions.

They have a good memory

Despite the fact that many people think a goldfish has a memory span of 3 seconds, research shows otherwise. Compared to a lot of fish, goldfish have good memories. They are able to respond to light, music, and other sensory details.

Goldfish can live very long lives

Depending on the conditions a goldfish lives in, they can actually live rather long lives. Their lifespan is between 10 and 15 years. If you feed your fish proper food and the water conditions are where they need to be, your goldfish will live a long life.

Conclusion

So, the next time someone says that you’re “as smart as a fish,” there’s no reason to be insulted by it. Often believed to only have a 3-second memory, researchers found that goldfish actually are a lot smarter than we believed them to be.

And, their tiny brains have a lot more power than one would ever expect. So next time you go to feed your goldfish or stand near the tank, remember- your goldfish most likely recognize you as being their owner.

The post Do Goldfish Recognize Their Owners? appeared first on Water World Craze.

Are Koi Fish Smart? Koi fish are indeed very smart and inquisitive, and can even be taught tricks, including eating out of your hand. Koi has been shown to be loyal to their owners, have personalities of their own and have intelligence.

In the article “Fish Can Be Smarter Than Primates”, Johnathan Balcombe even notes a large number of studies that have been done — not to mention behavior seen in nature that show just how intelligent different fish species are!

Because Koi are such intelligent creatures, it’s important to interact with them and not just leave them alone in their pond to act as a design feature to your home. The first and easiest way to bond with your Koi fish is to be the one that feeds them.

Through feeding them and spending time with them you’ll soon come to know their differing personalities and how that influences the way in which they interact with you.

Once your Koi have acclimatized to their new home after you bring them home, you can really start interacting with them and training them to come to you and to eat out of your hand.

(Remember that it can take a few weeks for your Koi to completely get used to their new pond and their new surroundings.)

1. How Do I Teach My Koi To Swim To Me?

The first step to taming your Koi is to teach them behaviors that will lead to more interaction with them. The first of these is to feed them using the same routine every day and from the same spot next to the pond each time.

Instead of standing next to the pond and giving them all the food at once, crouch next to the pond — so you don’t throw such a large shadow and frighten them away — and give them only a little food at a time.

When giving them the food, drop it into the water close to where you are crouching. You may see that the most extroverted and inquisitive of the Koi swim towards the food. The shy ones may linger a while longer.

If you find that they are all still too skittish to come to you after about 10 minutes, rather leave them to eat and then repeat this the next time you feed them.

Some owners say that it took a few months for the Koi to trust them enough to swim up to them when it’s feeding time, so don’t rush it if you see that they don’t respond to you after a few days’ feeding.

Although some owners say that you should stop feeding your Koi for a few days and then feed them again — basically forcing them to respond to you out of sheer hunger — we do not agree.

There is no reason to put your Koi through something like this. Just as with other pets, trust takes time and needs to be earned.

One of the behaviors of Koi that really show that they trust you is eating out of your hand.

When you begin to teach your fish to eat from your hand, you need to have your koi trusting you. If your fish are all still too scared or shy to come to you, keep on teaching them this first.

2. How Do I Teach My Koi Fish To Eat Out Of My Hand?

Once your Koi are used to you and trust you, you can start to teach them how to (literally) eat out of your hand in a few, simple steps.

Keep feeding them from the same spot

When first setting out to teach them to eat from your hand, keep on feeding your koi from the same spot you’ve always have. This will ensure that they still associate the spot with food and feeding (maybe even a treat or two!).

You should also keep the same feeding routine. This will not only put your Koi at ease, but they will also know that it’s time to eat.

Don’t feed them more than usual

Koi love eating and will keep on eating when they are offered food. It’s therefore very important to only feed them the amount of food that they usually eat and not to get carried away and overfeeding them by accident.

Here are a couple of articles that will help you with feeding your koi correctly:

Use slow, fluid movements, not jerky ones

Once you start to feed them, use slow and fluid movements, bringing your hand closer to the water each time that you feed them.

You’ll see that, because you’re not moving quickly and immediately putting your hand in the water, your Koi won’t be stressed or scared. Rather, they will get used to your movements and, once you put your hand in the water, they won’t be spooked.

Offer pellets or treats between your thumb and forefinger

Instead of simply putting food in your palm and offering it, first, use a pellet or small treat and hold it out for the koi between your thumb and forefinger. You’ll see that there’s usually one Koi braver than the others that will come up to you and take the treat.

Keep on doing this, making sure that you don’t just feed one of your Koi the whole time. You may see that some of the Koi still don’t want to come to you and this is okay. Give each fish the time they need to get used to you and the idea of eating out of your hand.

Be sure to only feed them Koi-friendly treats, however. These include oranges, grapefruit (but don’t feed citrus more than once a week), watermelon, shrimp, crayfish, worms.

You shouldn’t feed them peas, cereal (yes, the breakfast kind), bread — especially white bread or anything that you’ve caught yourself.

Offer pellets or a treat in your hand

Once your Koi is used to the idea of taking the pellet from between your fingers, you can start holding pellets out on your open hand.

At first, just half-submerge your hand beneath the water, letting the pellets float on and around it. Soon the brave Koi will come closer to feed.

Once they are used to eating out of your open hand, you can start putting pellets or treats in your cupped hand. Again, submerge your hand about halfway into the water and be patient. It may take a few minutes, but soon the braver fish will start to literally eat out of your hand.

And repeat!

Now all you need to do is to keep feeding them in this way up. Soon enough your shy Koi will also start to feed like this quite happily.

Eating out of your hand is definitely not the only thing these smart fish can do! Another trick you might like to teach your Koi once they have learned to eat out of your hand, is how to jump.

3. How To Teach Your Koi To Jump

Once you’re feeding your Koi from your hand every day, you can start to teach them how to swim to the surface.

• Submerge your fingertips into the water while holding a pellet or little snack.
• Once you have one’s attention who tries to take the food, don’t release the food immediately, but slowly move your hand towards the surface. This will get them slowly used to coming closer and closer to the surface and getting a treat in return for their behavior.
• Hold the piece of food a little above the water — Once your Koi is used to coming to the surface start to hold the food just above the surface of the water. To get to the food, your Koi will have to “jump”.
• If you see that the Koi won’t jump, try holding the food a bit closer and then pull your fingers slightly away to coax them into going higher.

Your Koi may not all perform this trick, as the more timid and shy ones will either not do it at all, or take some more time to learn the trick.

With some practice, you will find that they can jump a bit higher as well!

All of these tricks need time and patience, so don’t give up too soon!

Note: if your koi fish jump out of the water without you doing anything, there might be something wrong with the water. Read more on that in our article here!

Now all that is left is showing off just how smart your Koi are by showing friends and family these tricks!

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