When it comes to intelligence , fish tend to get a speculative pat . While much give-and-take revolves around birds and mammals , fish have remained synonymous with a poor memory and stupidity . But the staggering underwater tour that the BBC’sBlue Planet IIis taking us on has reveal someincredibly complex fish conduct , include a fish that teams up with an octopus to get itself a meal .
“ What we discovered is that this Pisces is capable of forward planning and co - operatively hunt with a completely unrelated creature , in this case , an octopus,”explainedJonathan Smith , who produced the " Coral Reefs " episode .
When the coral grouper finds a particular bandage of red coral rich in smaller fish hiding within , but out of reach of the Pisces itself , it will reckon for an devilfish to pair up with . Incredibly , the two separate species have learn how to communicate with each other . The grouper indicates to the octopus by doing a headstand above the patch of coral where the little fish are veil , it then flash white and does a bit of a squirm to get the cephalopod mollusk ’s attention .
“ Then they both come over to where the Pisces is hiding and if the octopus want to wager , it can use its tentacles to get in and actually flush the fish out,”continuedSmith . “ Once it ’s out in the launch the coral grouper gets the Pisces the Fishes about half the clip , and about half the time the octopus snags it . ”
This behavior , along with other standout footage fromBlue Planet IIsuch as the elephantine trevallies leaping from the waterto catch flying birds , is changing many citizenry ’s idea of what fish are up to of , and just how intelligent they really are .
Dr Alex Vail , one of the cameramen who assist take the grouper - octopus alliance , in reality started off search the transverse - species cooperation out on the reef between the fish and other underwater marauder . His former study has shownthat groupers are “ as good as chimpanzees ” in selecting the sound married person for the task in finding food for thought , systematically choosing the right moray eel that will assist them out . Not only that but the fish also learn rapidly which eel are best up to the task .
But even Dr Vail was impressed with the fish teaming up with their multi - armed accomplices . “ When I first saw it , I was blow away , ” he toldThe Telegraph . “ What ’s fascinating is there seems to be intent behind it . The grouper has invent a plan and is cognizant of what the final result might be , and then carries it out . Which shows a like grade of intelligence as chimpanzees . And that ’s without anything like the same brainpower . ”
So next fourth dimension someone say you have the memory of a goldfish , maybe you should take it as a compliment .
