Think intelligence is for mammals? These top 10 fish species in 2025 show memory, self-awareness, and cooperation under water.
Manta rays have a high brain-to-body ratio, use mirror tests, show curiosity and long-term memory.
Cleaner wrasse distinguish themselves, remember their “clients,” run cleaning stations with repeat customers.
African cichlids guard eggs, work together against predators, navigate mazes & recognize patterns.
Uses weak electric fields to communicate & navigate in dark waters — remarkable spatial senses.
Calculates refraction, learns by observation, and shoots insects off plants with precision.
Goldfish remember feeding times & mazes; parrotfish build mucus cocoons at night as predator defense.
Goldfish remember feeding times & mazes; parrotfish build mucus cocoons at night as predator defense.
Bettas show recognition, react emotionally, can be trained to hoop dive or follow movements.
Groupers cooperate with moray eels in hunts. Gobies remember exact layouts of tidal pools to escape predators.
Groupers cooperate with moray eels in hunts. Gobies remember exact layouts of tidal pools to escape predators.
These fish prove intelligence isn’t just mammals’ domain. Memory, self-awareness & cooperation — across species.