Fish May Have Disproved Memory Theory

Fish in memory study responds to gong sound at meal times.

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Bentley, the humphead wrasse, is part of research to disprove that fish have poor memories

A humphead wrasse at the National Marine Aquarium in Devon, England, has been responding to a gong sound made by researchers at meal times. The researchers said they think they have disproved the theory that fish have bad memories.

Trainers have taught six-year-old Bentley to swim to a holding pool at feeding times in response to the sound. Researchers said they think they can also summon him using the same method if they need to do medical examinations.

Bentley has also learned to swim toward the feeding gate and eat from his keepers’ hands.

Researchers said he also responded to the gong sound even after a four-month break in his training.

The aquarium also plans to test the memory experiment on sharks.

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Posted: February 13, 2008, 4 p.m. EST

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Fish May Have Disproved Memory Theory

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great info

shannon, st.augustine, FL
Posted: 3/2/2010 1:07:44 AM

Good article. I too think that fish are smarter than we say. I have a Senegal Bichir, and he knows me, and he remembers when feeding time is, and everyday at around feeding time, he is waiting for me to feed him.

Dragonbeards, Roy, WA
Posted: 6/4/2009 11:44:46 AM

Yes I agree that fish are a lot smarter then we give them credit for. I have 24 goldfish and they have memorized my face and recognise who I am enough that even when someone else is in the room or next to the tank that they do not ask (in there own begging mouth gapping way) for food because they know that they are not the person who feeds them nor takes care of them. And when I sit on one side of the tank all 24 swim to the same side. The blue streaked wrasse (in the family as this stated fish above) has a symbiotic relastionship with a small fish that will go inside the wrasse's mouth and clean the teeth (now the wrasse even knows what this fish does, looks like, and knows not to swallow or close its mouth while this fish is cleaning inside the wrasse's mouth). sorry couldn't remember the name of the exact fish that works with the wrasse.

Hannah, Molalla, OR
Posted: 3/20/2009 11:12:40 AM

I agree with Jennifer- I too have had cichlids remember certain items pertaining to food. :)

Dazzle, Fredericksburg, VA
Posted: 1/29/2009 7:35:29 PM

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