An interesting and unusual thing happened in our animal universe this week, Maria decided our Siamese Fighting Fish, I called him “Yoda,” was actually a feminine spirit and she decided she would see him as a female, not a male.

She started calling him “Princess” and referred to the fish as “her.” Gender identity is a big deal in our political and cultural world, but I’ve rarely heard of it in the animal world.

A Siamese Fighting Fish is a fighter,  he will eat his mate and his babies if he can.

Our fish is a soft version of the breed, in color and temperament he moves quietly, doesn’t flare and shows her colors when approached.

She doesn’t mind being approached by people and loves to hang among the roots of the plants we put in her bowl.

When Maria puts her fact against the bowl, Princess comes up quietly and looks at her. I believe Maria is a gifted animal communicator, but I wasn’t sure how to feel about the gender change.

I’m getting used to it even by starting to refer to the fish as a “her.” I don’t suppose the fish cares about her gender identity one way or the other. In the world of animal ethics, it’s an issue that is new to me, yet timely.