Clown fish may be able to count to three – scientists

[ad_1]

Scientists have suggested that clownfish may be capable of simple arithmetic.

In particular, clownfish can count at least three stripes on the body of competing fish and then attack them.

This is stated in a study from the Journal of Experimental Biologist, writes Science.

Clownfish are famous not only for the Pixar movie Nemo, but also for their bright coloring – white stripes on an orange body.

It was these stripes that led scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology to believe that clownfish can count.

In the animal world, the ability to count helps you grab a bigger piece of food and find a safer group. But now Japanese scientists suggest that clownfish may use the most primitive of calculations to recognize their own kind.

Read also: Can a fish drown? Science tells

Photo: frenta/Depositphotos

There are a total of 28 species of clownfish. Scientists observed anemone fish, which have three stripes on their bodies.

These fish live on coral reefs next to sea anemones and perceive these creatures with tentacles as their habitat.

Despite their cute appearance, they are known for their aggressiveness. When the fish notice a representative of their species claiming their anemone, they attack, bite and drive the uninvited guest away.

The researchers tested whether this species could distinguish between fish with different numbers of stripes.

Back in 2022, marine ecologist Kina Hayashi of the research team found that clownfish were more likely to bite and chase wooden baitfish with the same number of stripes as themselves.

Then she wondered if the fish could actually count those stripes.

Together with the team, the researcher selected 50 young three-striped clownfish (A. ocellaris) grown in the laboratory, placed them in separate aquariums, and then gradually introduced different “strangers”.

The alien fish had various combinations of orange and black colors and from one to three stripes. In particular, one had a stripe across its body, like a skunk.

The “uninvited guests” were separated from the “locals” by placing them in a transparent box that does not transmit odors. So the fish could not chase or bite each other.

However, “local” fish could rush and stare at strangers. This happened when they saw fish with the same number of stripes as their own.

Read also: Not for the first time: China plans to send fish to the space station

The researchers then took 120 individuals and showed them fish without stripes, with one, two, and three stripes, respectively.

The scientists compared whether the frequency of aggressive behavior towards a foreign fish differed depending on the number of stripes on its scales.

It turned out that the fish attacked similar strangers that had 3 stripes much more often. The fish were afraid that competitors would occupy their territory near the anemone.

“We conclude that A. ocellaris (anemonefish, a subspecies of clownfish) uses the number of white stripes as a signal to identify and attack only competitors. We believe this is an important behavior to effectively defend its habitat.” – the article says.

According to Hayashi, having stripes definitely mattered. Clownfish aggressively pursued and bit three-striped lures 10 times more than solid-striped lures.

The team of scientists came to the conclusion that clown fish not only know how to count, but also use this skill to protect their home from other fish of their species.

At the same time, the American neuroscientist Justin Rhodes is somewhat skeptical of this discovery. He doubts whether the animals really count or just notice more white coloring on strangers.

However, Kina Hayashi is sure that it is not about color. After all, according to her, in previous studies, clown fish did not react only to white color.

If the researcher can prove that clownfish can definitely count, the woman plans to find out if they are born with this ability.

It will be recalled that scientists have stated that the oldest aquarium fish Methuselah from the USA may be even older than previously thought.

Read also: Does a goldfish really have a 3-second memory? Science tells

[ad_2]

Original Source Link