Is The Dating App ‘Fish Flaunter’ Hot Or Toxic?
If you have spent any time on dating apps in the last few years, you are likely familiar with a few cringe-inducing profile trends that are popping up.
Some of these types are harmless, and some might as well be dressed as a red flag.
There Are Some Staple Cliché Profiles On Dating Apps
Think the shirtless mirror selfie guy, the "it's not my kid" disclaimer, or the proud dog dad.
Sometimes it feels like you're swiping through 10 of the same profiles in a row, and according to a new survey, you might be onto something.
The Fish And The Man Both Come In All Shapes And Sizes
One of the latest dating profile trends to take over is the posing-with-fish profile picture, and it's exactly what it sounds like.
Picture a man, in any outfit, sometimes wearing a hat, holding a fish of some kind in his hand.
Are These Guys Great Catches, Or Worth Watching Out For?
Since the fish-man dating profile has become such a common phenomenon, fin-omenon, if you will, women have naturally started to debate whether or not these big-fish flaunters are a catch.
Or on the contrary, whether they should be thrown back into the pond.
There Are Definitely More Of Them Than There Used To Be
If you think you have noticed an increase in fish-wielding gentle-dudes, you're not going crazy.
A study conducted by the angling app Fishbrain analyzed the Tinder profiles of 100 young men in Florida and found some fishy results.
The Fish Could Make Or Break A Potential Match
As it turns out, the profile pics of prized catches are actually influencing whether or not women choose to swipe right—and they're more likely to be encountered in certain states.
Thanks to Fishbrain's research, we have a surprising insight into the effectiveness of the fish-pic.
A Study Looked At 100 Men's Dating Profiles
The study used a sample size of 100 young men on Tinder in Virginia aged 18-25.
They found a whopping 42% of men chose to include at least one picture of themselves holding a fish in their profile.
Depending On Where The Men Live, It's More Likely The Fish Will Be A Winner
In a past similar study, they found that 8% of men's dating profiles in New York included fish pictures, while 22% of men's profiles in Florida included them.
So, what does this mean for men? It sort of depends on where they live.
Some Women Want More Fish Content
Fishbrain surveyed female sorority students at local universities to get an understanding of how the fish pictures are perceived by potential matches.
Using a survey of 235 Tri Delta sisters from Virginia Tech, Fishbrain found that one in seven women, approximately 15%, saw men who posed with fish as more attractive than men who did not.
46% Of Florida Women Polled Said They Preferred Fish Profile Pictures
Based on a Facebook survey of over 1,000 Florida sorority members, 46% of young women actually prefer men with fish in their dating app profiles.
Basically, if you live in Florida or Virginia, you're more likely to get lucky as a guy if you have at least one fish picture in your dating profile.
Fish Pics Are Definitely Influencing Men's Matches To An Extent
Camille, a Tri Delta sorority member at Virginia Tech, shared her thoughts with the New York Post, saying that "[Fish pictures] definitely played a part in whether we choose to swipe right."
According to Camille, the men with fish in their profile pictures are more likely to be seen as attractive and score a real-life catch.
It Makes Them Seem "More Athletic And Powerful"
Part of her reasoning is that "it makes men seem more athletic and powerful."
Camille goes on to explain that "maybe it correlates to their ability as a breadwinner, but I think more likely that holding a massive fish has other connotations," meaning exactly what you think it means.
It Depends On The Fish They Choose To Flex
This is where things get weirdly specific, and Camille proves it by saying, "Holding a giant fish is for sure more attractive than posing with some small, dull, unimpressive catch."
According to the young college woman, attraction "can also depend on the type of fish, as some are definitely nicer to look at than others."
Certain Fish Are More Attractive Than Others, Plain And Simple
In case you're wondering exactly what fish are deemed as "more attractive," Fishbrain went ahead and conducted a survey on that as well.
So listen up, men, these catches can help you reel in the best date.
The Best Fish For A Photo Is The Hogfish
The data revealed that the biggest catch was the hogfish, a brightly colored fish that looks part-alien and part-sushi dinner.
Camille explained the high-scoring fish was likely because of its "unusual pink and red color. Also, it has a weird mouth,” she added.
The Least Impressive Fish For A Photo Is The Striped Bass
But beware the least attractive fish—according to the data, it's the basic striped bass, a staple of the New York fishing game.
Even though the striped bass can grow up to three times the size of the hogfish, it's not nearly as impressive in color and ranked lowest amongst the fish.
Not All Women Are Sold On The Fish Flaunter And They Definitely Do Not Swipe Right
Not everyone is falling for the classic fish flaunter, and some women were quick to share opinions that the fishing profile picture is actually a red flag alerting to a certain type of guy.
The anti-fish women on dating apps see the pictures as more of a running joke that a guy is trying to seem "bro-y" and "outdoorsy" in the most masculine way. They see it as a sign of potential toxic masculinity that they find unattractive.
