ally07 Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Just a conundrum which I've inflicted upon myself recently and haven't been able to figure out myself... How do fish know how big they are in relation to other fish? Points I've come up with: 1. Fish are unable to identify themselves in mirrors like humans and chimps - they think that the fish in the mirror is another fish and will attack it. 2. Large predatory fish somehow know that some prey are too large while others are edible - but how do they know without knowing the size of their own stomaches and jaws?? Can anybody shed some light? :smln: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bananalobster Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 I think some fish open their mouths at eachother to compare the jaw size, if they are similar they will fight if one is quite a bit smaller it will swim away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Hormones? Pheromones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 I think some fish open their mouths at eachother to compare the jaw size, if they are similar they will fight if one is quite a bit smaller it will swim away. Lol. I like this theory. Open your mouth as wide as possible and swim straight at each other. If you feel full afterwards then you were the biggest. If you feel cramped and it's dark, you were the smaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 :sml1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 They are like us. We know from experience that we can swallow an object straight off, or swallow one if we chew it or swallow one if we take bites out of it and fish are the same. If they chew the tail off a fish it will be there until they have taken as many bites as they wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bananalobster Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Hahaha yeah it does sound a bit weird! I was trying to remember where I heard it from, its in this doco 8 mins 30 seconds in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally07 Posted November 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Lol. I like this theory. Open your mouth as wide as possible and swim straight at each other. If you feel full afterwards then you were the biggest. If you feel cramped and it's dark, you were the smaller. LOL! There's a certain resignation to one's fate in this theory. Kinda like, "Oh, what the heck, I had a good run - let's see if I survive another day." The Russian roulette of nature lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 i don't think some fish know they are smaller or they certainly don't behave as if they are. my shellies are in my tang community and they have a go at all fish that come near, 10cm fronts, 10cm tropheus and even my hand included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Lol. I like this theory. Open your mouth as wide as possible and swim straight at each other. If you feel full afterwards then you were the biggest. If you feel cramped and it's dark, you were the smaller. I have had this face off with a number of pieces of chocolate and can tell you my mouth was bigger than theirs was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 ROFLMAO Sophia, you always make me smile with your posts :happy2: :happy1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 Large predatory fish somehow know that some prey are too large while others are edible - but how do they know without knowing the size of their own stomaches and jaws?? Iv seen many instances where large fish too cocky try to swallow fish far too large. Like alanmin4304 has said it is simply an experienced understanding of there capability's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonz1833 Posted November 8, 2011 Report Share Posted November 8, 2011 yeah just like human really and we never learn think about when we go to valentines for dinner lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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