Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior have made a surprising discovery: wild fish in the Mediterranean Sea can tell apart divers based on their clothing, including colors on wetsuits.
A team of scientists noticed that groups of seabream would follow them around while diving, stealing food intended for other fish in their experiments. The fish seemed to recognize the researchers and could even identify individual humans. Even decoy divers were unable to throw off the swarming fish.
To confirm their findings, the researchers designed a new study with the seabream as “willing volunteers.” They trained the fish to follow specific individuals while wearing different colored diving gear.
The results showed that four out of six fish became better at choosing which diver to follow over time. The team found that the fish were using visual cues, such as colors on wetsuits and flippers, to differentiate between the scientists.
The researchers say that humans often underestimate the abilities of fish, and this study highlights their remarkable cognitive capabilities. Senior author Alex Jordan notes that the findings challenge common misconceptions about fish intelligence.
The study’s lead authors hope that it will inspire humans to reconsider how they treat fish, acknowledging that these animals are capable of complex behaviors and even forming connections with humans.
Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/wild-fish-can-tell-human-divers-apart-based-on-their-outfits-study-suggests-180986084