Aquarists, fishermen, and even ordinary inhabitants sometimes think about what kind of memory the fish have. Many are convinced that it does not exist at all, but some are ready to defend the opposite point of view. Someone recalls the fish Dory from the popular cartoon about the search for Nemo, but someone wants to give an example of a couple of cases from life. How is everything really? Let's try to understand and answer the most important questions about the memory of these creatures.
Common myths
What is the memory of the fish, does it exist at all, how long can the fish retain any memories? The most common misconception is that nature did not at all endow these creatures with the ability to remember anything. This statement is erroneous.
No less popular is the myth of the short-term fish memory. Do not believe if someone will convince you that a fish can remember something only for 1, 3, 5 seconds.
What do aquarium fish remember?
Attentive aquarists are well aware that their pets are able to remember a lot, starting with manipulations accompanying feeding, ending with dangerous situations.
If you are concerned about the question of what kind of memory the fish have, you will probably be interested to know what these creatures can remember. Namely:
- neighbors in the aquarium;
- place of feeding;
- dangerous places of the aquarium (stream under the compressor, resting places of aggressive neighbors, nooks from which it is not easy to get out);
- water temperature
- light mode.
Wild fish memory
Fish living in water bodies also have excellent memory. They record and subsequently may recall the following:
- food rich places;
- hazardous areas of the reservoir;
- currents;
- underwater sources;
- temperature
- places of constant overnight;
- various varieties of bait, hooks, tackle;
- boat and boat outlines;
- seasons;
- predators;
- underwater inhabitants of food interest.
How does memory work in fish?
Scientists explain that fish think in images that, as necessary, are extracted from memory for use. These creatures have well-developed both long-term and short-term memory. Species living in flocks have a kind of collective memory - common to a group of habits. They use the same routes from year to year, maintain the regime. If you divide the flock, individual individuals will retain memory and will tend to lead the same way of life.
Understanding what kind of memory fish have and how it works helps to monitor groups in aquariums and wildlife.
How long do fish remember information?
Here a lot depends on life expectancy, because for everyone their own “long”. For example, carps are considered long-livers, and it has been established that they keep some memories for more than one year. What is the memory of fish in time? Certainly not a second, as some people think. The storage life of memories depends on their importance. That is why some types of fish (for example, pike) are considered such difficult prey for the fisherman.
Why do fish need a memory?
It is important not only what kind of memory the fish have, but also the purpose for which nature endowed them with this ability. After all, it might seem that instincts and acquired reflexes could be enough for them. However, we help them to avoid dangers, find food, and train offspring, which in general has a positive effect on the preservation of population numbers and the survival of species.