- PPF Points
- 1,737
Can you train a goldfish? Sounds a little bonkers, right? I used to think that was something only someone with way too much free time would even attempt—like, who’s sitting around plotting goldfish gymnastics? But then I went over to my friend’s place and there’s her goldfish, putting on this underwater circus act. We’re talking hoops, bells, the works. I swear, I half-expected the little guy to start juggling gravel.
I just stood there, eyes wide, thinking, “No way. Are we sure this isn’t a tiny animatronic?” Goldfish always seemed like, I don’t know, background characters in the aquatic world—floating around, looking pretty, not much going on upstairs. Total myth, by the way. These little dudes have way more going for them than people give them credit for.
Turns out, goldfish are actually sharp if you give them a chance. All it really takes is a bit of routine, some bribes (okay, treats), and the kind of patience you usually reserve for trying to open a bag of chips quietly in a silent room. I gave it a shot myself—armed with a chopstick and some fish food, feeling like an absolute dork at first. But after a while, my fish started catching on. He’d see the stick, zip over, and wait for his snack like, “Hey, I did my part, now pay up.” Honestly, it was adorable.
But here’s the thing—it’s not just about showing off to your friends that your fish can ring a bell or swim through a hoop. It’s about that weird, unexpected bond you build. I know, it sounds cheesy, but interacting with your goldfish in this way? It makes the whole pet experience way cooler. Suddenly, you’re not just some giant food dispenser looming over the tank. You’re both sort of in on the same little secret, and it gives you this sense of connection that goes way beyond the usual “watch and feed” routine.
And it really makes you think—how many other animals have we just totally underestimated? How many pets out there are bored out of their minds because we assume they’re not up for anything more? Goldfish are just the tip of the iceberg. I mean, if something as tiny and “ordinary” as a goldfish can learn and interact, maybe we all need to start giving our animal pals a bit more credit—and maybe a few more snacks, too.
I just stood there, eyes wide, thinking, “No way. Are we sure this isn’t a tiny animatronic?” Goldfish always seemed like, I don’t know, background characters in the aquatic world—floating around, looking pretty, not much going on upstairs. Total myth, by the way. These little dudes have way more going for them than people give them credit for.
Turns out, goldfish are actually sharp if you give them a chance. All it really takes is a bit of routine, some bribes (okay, treats), and the kind of patience you usually reserve for trying to open a bag of chips quietly in a silent room. I gave it a shot myself—armed with a chopstick and some fish food, feeling like an absolute dork at first. But after a while, my fish started catching on. He’d see the stick, zip over, and wait for his snack like, “Hey, I did my part, now pay up.” Honestly, it was adorable.
But here’s the thing—it’s not just about showing off to your friends that your fish can ring a bell or swim through a hoop. It’s about that weird, unexpected bond you build. I know, it sounds cheesy, but interacting with your goldfish in this way? It makes the whole pet experience way cooler. Suddenly, you’re not just some giant food dispenser looming over the tank. You’re both sort of in on the same little secret, and it gives you this sense of connection that goes way beyond the usual “watch and feed” routine.
And it really makes you think—how many other animals have we just totally underestimated? How many pets out there are bored out of their minds because we assume they’re not up for anything more? Goldfish are just the tip of the iceberg. I mean, if something as tiny and “ordinary” as a goldfish can learn and interact, maybe we all need to start giving our animal pals a bit more credit—and maybe a few more snacks, too.
