Dream About Fish Attacking You: Meaning & Symbolism

Have you ever woken up after dreaming about fish viciously attacking you? Strange and frightening dreams like this can shake you up and make you wonder what on earth your subconscious is trying to tell you.

Well, wonder no more. I’m here to reveal the deeper meaning behind dreams of angry, attacking fish. Dreams are our mind’s way of working through emotions and situations we face when awake.

Dreaming About Fish Attacking You: General Meaning

Dreaming of fish attacking you can be an unsettling symbol. What could it mean? Here are some possible interpretations:

It may signify loss of control or feeling overwhelmed

The fish attacking in your dream could represent feelings of being out of control in some area of your life or feeling overwhelmed by some emotions or issues you’re facing. The attacking fish are a metaphor for these feelings “attacking” you in your waking life.

There could be unresolved anger or aggression

The attacking fish may symbolize anger, aggression or violence. Maybe there’s someone or something that’s got you feeling mad lately – or possibly it’s anger directed at yourself over something you’ve been beating yourself up about. Dreams have a funny way of bringing our inner feelings to the surface, even when we try to push them down during the day.

You may feel like you’re being preyed upon

Dreaming of predatory fish coming after you could indicate a sense of vulnerability and that you feel like “prey” in some situation. For example, you may feel taken advantage of at work or in a relationship. The fish represent the perceived threat.

Past trauma or fear may be resurfacing

If you have a fear of fish or trauma involving fish in your past, your mind may conjure up the image of attacking fish to represent that fear or trauma coming to the surface again. The fish symbolize that which you fear or that past traumatic event in your memory.

The specific details in your dream can provide more clues to determine the meaning. But in general, dreaming of aggressive fish on the attack suggests some underlying anxiety, fear or negative emotions that your subconscious is bringing to your attention through this symbolic dream. It’s a call to confront what’s really “eating at you” – even if what’s doing the eating happens to be a fish in your dreams!

Feeling overwhelmed

The fish circling and coming at you from all sides represent chaotic thoughts or stressful situations in your everyday reality that seem to be crowding in on you. It’s a sign you may need to establish better boundaries or find ways to simplify your life to avoid feeling so inundated.

Loss of control

Being attacked in a dream often means you feel a lack of control over something important in your life. The fish, in this case, symbolize aspects of your subconscious or daily experiences that seem to be dictating your reactions and behavior. To regain control, identify what specific areas of your life feel out of control and take steps to re-establish your authority over them.

Negative Emotions

Fish can represent emotions, so being attacked by fish may indicate you feel threatened, anxious or overwhelmed by difficult emotions like fear, anger, jealousy or resentment. Examine what emotions feel the most unsettling and work to gain awareness and acceptance of them. Releasing pent up emotions through creative expression or talking to others can help establish an inner calm.

Evaluating your direction

Dreaming of fish can also signify you feel off course or unsure of the direction your life is headed. The attacking fish represent self-doubt, confusion or a lack of purpose. Look for ways to gain clarity on your priorities and values so you can move forward with more confidence in a direction that feels right for you.

Lack of self-confidence

Fish biting or attacking in dreams can be a sign that you lack confidence in yourself or your abilities in some situation. The fish represent self-doubt, insecurity, or a lack of self-esteem that is holding you back. There’s more inside you than you know. When that little voice in your head says you can’t do it, tune it out.

Bottom Line

Dreams of fish attacking you can represent feelings of being overwhelmed or out of control in your waking life. The fish may symbolize problems or challenges that feel like they’re nibbling away at you or even threatening to consume you whole.

The good news is now that you understand the meaning behind this strange dream scenario, you can start to address what’s really bothering you. Talk to a friend or family member, start a journal to get your feelings down on paper, or make a change to your daily routine. Don’t let those pesky fish get the better of you – take back control and swim into calmer waters.