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Pat Cremer, Manchester - The experiment you mention, Michael, will result in the conditioning of the fish which relies on a completely different part of the brain than that which controls memory. The result will be a conditioned semi-instictual reaction rather than a conscious memory related decision. So, no, fish have no noteworthy memory capacity.
Paul Sheeran, Dublin - I have a number of fish (not strictly speaking goldfish, but I think they will pass muster for the purposes of this question), and although I cannot claim to have done extensive memory testing on them, they are certainly capable of recognising people. When I or any of the people who are at my home on a regular basis walk around the room, the fish ignore us and get on with the important business of swimming around the tank and chasing one another. If a new guest arrives however, who the fish do not see regularly, then they hide for at least half an hour before coming out of their caves and resuming their day to day activities. Not exactly scientific proof I know, but it's the best I can do!
Samantha Hall, Oxford UK - I read once that a goldfish's memory depends on the size of the bowl he or she or it is in. Apparently, if they're in a bigger...sorry, what was the question again?
Jeff Rushton, London Add your answer  |
