Tiny fish stun scientists with mammal-like intelligence

Cleaner wrasse fish. PIC/ISTOCK

Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan have identified a new and unexpected behavior in cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus).

When shown a mirror, these small reef fish did more than appear to recognize their reflections.

They also began interacting with the mirror using a piece of food, suggesting a level of cognitive sophistication not typically associated with fish.

The findings indicate that cleaner wrasse may be capable of "contingency testing," a complex mental process most observed in highly intelligent marine mammals.

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