Scientists highlight fish 'intelligence'

[Kellanved]

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.
...


"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.


...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/3189941.stm

[Crewleader]

1. I believe it....

that's why they call it BRAIN FOOD! :7

[BlueJazz]

2. Well, some of them do go to "Schools"

but of course, when one of the fish gets too rowdy the teacher
has to send him to the principal's offish.

And if they graduate and want to be a cop, they can go to cop school and become an Offisher.

Or they can enter politics and become a public Offishel.

[nuxvomica]

3. I think if I studied fish long enough, I might imagine anything

I would love to see the experiment that proves they pursue "Machiavellian strategies." If anything, we are learning how primitive our own behavior is and saying that fish must be smart if they seem to somehow emulate it.

[oneighty]

4. I know for

certain from personal experience that fish are smarter than

some humans seeking to catch them.

180

[Ivory_Tower]

5. Uh-oh. Will we still be able to co-exist with them?

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." -- GWB

Or will we have to launch a pre-emptive strike?

[bicentennial_baby]

6. Cthulu is coming....

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. So true.

I've seen big bass swim behind herons who were strolling along the shallows, and who were trying to pick-off minnows from the small puddles along the shoreline. The big bass knew the minnows would be vulnerable once they fled the puddles for deeper water where they could be reached by the bigger fish.