Although some species of fish like to swim together in large, seemingly social schools, marine biologists have generally assumed that fish did not have the mental capacity to co-operate; in fact, the ability to do so was believed to an “advanced” social skill that required a certain level of cognitive development. Scientists, however, have found new evidence that seems to suggest otherwise. The findings are now published in the Nature Scientific Reports journal.
FISH HAVE FRIENDS: THEY CAN COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER
According to researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Queensland, Australia, some pairs of rabbitfish appear to “watch each other’s back,” particularly while foraging for food. Dr. Simon Brandl, one of the researchers, states that this behavior is “so far unique among fishes and appears to be based on reciprocal co-operation between pair members.”
In this form of cooperation, one fish will act as a “look out” by assuming a stationary position in the water while the partner feeds. Solo hunters, in comparison, behave rather differently. Rabbitfish with a foraging partner will take more “consecutive bites and penetrate deeper into crevices,” which provides obvious benefits for the species.
COOPERATIVE RABBITFISH SHIFT MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT FISH SPECIES
The discovery has come as a big surprise to researchers who have regularly debated about whether or not social cooperation – commonly found in primates – is practiced amongst species that do not possess a high level of cognitive development. Although birds and other mammals are known to assist each other, there has not been strong enough evidence to prove that fish are also capable of this ability.
“By showing that fishes, which are commonly considered to be cold, unsocial, and unintelligent, are capable of negotiating reciprocal co-operative systems, we provide evidence that co-operation may not be as exclusive as previously assumed,” Dr Brandl stated. In fact, rabbitfish appear to coordinate their activity rather strictly. Interestingly enough, this discovery might eventually influence or change the way scientists research and “ethically deal” with fishes.
