Goldfish indeed possess a certain level of intelligence, and their memory and learning abilities far exceed the misconception of having a "7-second memory."
Core Basis and Manifestations
Memory Ability
Experiments have proven that the memory of goldfish can last for several weeks to several months. For example:
After being trained, goldfish can remember the association between a red stick and food, and they can still retain this memory for several weeks after the training stops.
Researchers have found that the memory of young fish for specific sounds still exists half a year later.
The mirror test shows that some goldfish can recognize themselves and try to remove abnormal marks on their bodies, suggesting the possible existence of self-awareness.
Learning and Task Execution Ability
Goldfish can complete complex behavior training, such as navigating through mazes, pushing balls, and avoiding electric shocks.
They can recognize their owners, show affectionate behavior towards familiar people, and be wary of strangers.
Comparison of Cognitive Levels
According to scientific research, the intelligence quotient of goldfish is equivalent to that of rodents (such as mice).
Although their brains are small, they have the ability of transitive inference and cooperation (for example, groupers and moray eels cooperate in hunting).
Origin of Traditional Misconceptions
The rumor that "goldfish only have a 3-second memory" stems from an underestimation of the cognitive abilities of fish. This statement lacks scientific basis and has been disproven by multiple experiments.
References to Other Highly Intelligent Fish
In addition to goldfish, the bluefin tuna is considered one of the smarter fish in the ocean due to its high alertness and learning ability. Anglers often need special techniques to deal with its behavior patterns.