Fish are socially intelligent creatures who do not deserve their
reputation as the dim-wits of the animal kingdom, according to a group
of leading scientists.
Rather than simply being instinct-driven, the group says fish are
cunning, manipulative and even cultured.
The three experts from the universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews and
Leeds said there had been huge changes in science's understanding of the
psychological and mental abilities of fish in the last few years.
Writing in the journal Fish and Fisheries, biologists Calum Brown,
Keven Laland and Jens Krause said fish were now seen as highly
intelligent creatures.
They said: "Gone (or at least obsolete) is the image of fish as
drudging and dim-witted pea-brains, driven largely by 'instinct',' with
what little behavioural flexibility they possess being severely hampered
by an infamous 'three-second memory'.
"Now, fish are regarded as steeped in social intelligence,
pursuing Machiavellian strategies of manipulation, punishment and
reconciliation, exhibiting stable cultural traditions, and co-operating
to inspect predators and catch food."
Recent research had shown that fish recognised individual "shoal
mates", social prestige and even tracked relationships.
Scientists had also observed them using tools, building complex nests
and exhibiting long-term memories.
The scientists added: "Although it may seem extraordinary to
those comfortably used to pre-judging animal intelligence on the basis
of brain volume, in some cognitive domains, fishes can even be
favourably compared to non-human primates."
They said fish were the most ancient of the major vertebrate groups,
giving them "ample time" to evolve complex, adaptable and
diverse behaviour patterns that rivalled those of other vertebrates.
"These developments warrant a re-appraisal of the behavioural
flexibility of fishes, and highlight the need for a deeper understanding
of the learning processes that underpin the newly recognised behavioural
and social sophistication of this taxon," said the scientists.