The researchers installed an aquarium measuring 35x35x28 centimeters on a four-wheeled platform with an electric motor and battery. The resulting “fishmobile” was equipped with a computer, an optical rangefinder and a camera that monitored the movements of fish in the aquarium. When the fish moved towards any of the four walls of the tank, the camera recorded this and started the motors, which moved the aquarium in the appropriate direction. If the fish was in the middle, the mechanism stopped.
Six goldfish took part in the experiment. First, each of them was placed in an aquarium and taught to drive inside a rectangular space measuring 3×4 meters. A large, brightly colored target was painted on one of the walls. The fish were made to understand that approaching this wall would be rewarded with food. To consolidate the information, the training lasted several days. Ultimately, the fish realized that in order to get food they had to lean against the wall, which faced the direction they needed to move.
At the next stage the task was complicated. They began to install the colored target on other walls, but the fish were not bothered by this and began to lean against the corresponding walls. Moreover, when the experimenters placed an obstacle between the aquarium and the color panel, the “fish car” successfully overcame it. Eventually, distractions were hung on the walls, but even this did not stop the fish from choosing the right target and getting the desired food.
Scientists have found that goldfish have the cognitive ability to solve complex problems in an environment different from the one in which they evolved. According to one of the authors of the scientific work, Shachar Givon, this experiment also proved that the ability to move is a universal phenomenon that does not depend on the environment. In addition, it turned out that the fish have sufficient intelligence to learn new skills and the mechanism of this learning is similar to how people learn to operate various types of transport.
Sources: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Behavioral Brain Research
