A study in the peer-reviewed journal Animal Cognition has found that Atlantic cod have the capacity to solve problems using innovation and tools.
From the abstract:
This study describes how three individual fish, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.), developed a novel behaviour and learnt to use a dorsally attached external tag to activate a self-feeder. This behaviour was repeated up to several hundred times, and over time these fish fine-tuned the behaviour and made a series of goal-directed coordinated movements needed to attach the feeder’s pull string to the tag and stretch the string until the feeder was activated. These observations demonstrate a capacity in cod to develop a novel behaviour utilizing an attached tag as a tool to achieve a goal. This may be seen as one of the very few observed examples of innovation and tool use in fish.
Although it’s harder for us to relate to aquatic animals, they may be more like us than we can imagine. Science is only beginning to understand the emotional complexity and intelligence of creatures who live underwater.
Sadly, industrial fishing and intensive aquaculture are sources of tremendous suffering and environmental degradation. Visit ChooseVeg.ca to learn how to transition toward a plant-based diet.
