We took the kids into the totality path in Kansas City for the eclipse about seven? years ago. We found a nice park in the burbs that was not packed with people.

As we were approaching totality, a thousand crickets near us all started chirping at essentially the same time. I was not even thinking about that, so no observer bias. (When people talk about their dogs and cats reacting, I think they may have started filming their pet and that more likely caused the reaction.)

However, I believe that "wild" animals that are closely tied to the daily cycle could easily have a significant reaction to the eclipse.

The fish probably quit biting for your buddy because they were having a tough time holding up their "eclipse glasses" while lacking opposable thumbs.