For years, scientists have underestimated the intelligence of fish—mainly because most studies were conducted in artificial lab settings, far removed from their natural environments like rivers, lakes, and oceans. But a groundbreaking study from Wageningen University & Research is now challenging those outdated assumptions.
Published in the Methods in Ecology and Evolution journal, this research introduces a cost-effective and field-friendly tool to study fish learning abilities directly in the wild. The results could change how we understand fish behavior, intelligence, and even how we approach conservation efforts.
🧠 Fish Cognition: Smarter Than We Knew
Fish have long been thought of as creatures with limited cognitive ability. However, this misconception may stem from how previous research was conducted—mostly in sterile labs that lack the complexity of natural habitats. Such artificial environments can distort how fish behave and learn.
The new study addresses this gap by creating a simple but powerful learning device that can be deployed in real aquatic environments.
🧪 Innovative Learning Tool for Fish Behavior Studies
Researchers Catarina Vila-Pouca and Alexander Kotrschal led the study and developed a tool known as a “feeding board.” This board allows fish to push disks aside to reach a hidden food reward, all without being captured or confined.
✅ No lab required
✅ No need for confinement
✅ Real-time learning in natural habitats
This device was successfully tested on:
- Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in Trinidad
- Ninespine sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) in the Netherlands
The fish showed significant learning over time, consistently improving their ability to select the correct disks—mirroring results seen in laboratory experiments.
👥 Social Learning Observed in Wild Fish
One of the most exciting findings was the emergence of social learning strategies. Some fish acted as “explorers,” discovering food sources on their own. Others played the role of “opportunists,” following and benefiting from the pioneers’ discoveries.
This kind of social behavior and memory in fish is a major discovery in the field of aquatic animal cognition.
🌍 Why This Matters for Ecology and Conservation
According to co-author Alexander Kotrschal:
“By studying fish in their natural environments, we observe authentic behavior that gives us deeper insights into animal intelligence, cognitive evolution, and even conservation biology.”
This new method is:
- 🐟 Affordable and customizable for different fish species
- 📈 Scalable for future ecological studies
- 🧠 Ideal for research on fish memory, learning, and social interactions
🔍 Key Takeaway
This pioneering research proves that fish are more intelligent and socially aware than previously believed. Studying their behavior in the wild—not just in laboratories—opens up exciting possibilities for fish cognition research and wildlife conservation.
Reference:
Vila‐Pouca, C., & Kotrschal, A. (2025). A novel apparatus for studying fish cognition in the wild. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.70002
Provided by Wageningen University & Research