Fishes are more intelligent than we thought

Fish have feelings too – at least that's the conclusion of new research out of Australia that says far from being dumb and not feeling pain, fish have primary senses as good as, or better, than humans.

The study by Culum Brown of Macquarie University, published in Animal Cognition today, says fish are more intelligent than many previously believed.

Dr Brown says consideration should therefore be given to the welfare of fish just like other animals, and they should be thought of as sentient.

Most people think about fish as food or pets, but are second only to mice in terms of numbers used in scientific research.

"Although scientists cannot provide a definitive answer on the level of consciousness for any non- human vertebrate, the extensive evidence of fish behavioural and cognitive sophistication and pain perception suggests that best practice would be to lend fish the same level of protection as any other vertebrate," Dr Brown says.
The study, which looked at bony fish, found they had good memories, live in complex social communities where they keep track of individuals and learn from each other, developing cultural traditions.

They can also recognise each other and cooperate, and are capable of using tools and methods of keeping track of quantities.

The study notes fish behaviour is much the same as primates, except they don't have the ability to imitate.

The level of mental complexity in fish is comparable with most other vertebrates, and there is growing evidence they feel pain in a way similar to humans.

Dr Brown believes the misperceptions people have of fish as being unintelligent is influenced by humans not often coming into contact with them in their natural environments.

There are more than 32,000 known species of fish, outweighing the diversity of all other vertebrates combined.