When one hears of intelligence in animals, the names of dolphins, chimpanzees, and elephants come to mind. But below the surface of the oceans, rivers, and lakes of our world, a variety of fish species exhibit intelligence unparalleled(Smartest Fish) and often overlooked. From self-awareness through problem-solving to cooperation between different species, these ocean dwellers are far smarter than we like to imagine. This is an interspecies glimpse into the world’s top ten smartest fish and what sets them apart in the world’s oceans.
- Leading the list are manta rays, which have been dubbed the “gentle giants” of the ocean. Manta rays have one of the highest brain-to-body mass ratios of any type of fish. Scientific research has indicated that they are even capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors, a high-level cognitive function that only a few animals on the planet exhibit. They live in complicated societies and exhibit curiosity and long-term memory, among other things, making them strong candidates for the title of the world’s most intelligent fish.
- Even the cleaner wrasse, a little but astonishingly intelligent reef fish, has astounded scientists by being able to distinguish itself. This is a sign of self-awareness—an incredible ability for such a small animal. In addition to this, cleaner wrasses run cleaning stations upon which they pick parasites and dead skin from other fish. They even have the ability to remember and identify “clients,” providing improved service to repeat customers.
- Cichlids, particularly those found in Africa’s Great Lakes, are renowned for their parental care and problem-solving abilities. Certain cichlids cooperate to guard eggs and fry from predators. They can even learn mazes as well as recognize patterns, demonstrating a degree of cognitive flexibility comparable to that of small mammals.
- Another fascinating species is the elephantnose fish, which communicates and navigates through weak electric fields. Found in the murky rivers of West and Central Africa, this fish’s electrosensory system allows it to “see” in the dark. With a brain-to-body ratio comparable to humans, the elephantnose fish is a clear example of how evolution has produced intelligent design in unexpected places.
- Archerfish is another highlight. Famous for its incredible hunting method, it blasts water bullets to dislodge insects from branches. Archerfish use the calculation of the angle of refraction in water to calculate distances accurately—a process that requires sophisticated visual processing. And the cherry on top: they can learn from experience, observing other fish succeed or fail before trying the exercise themselves.
- Goldfish tend to be unfairly stereotyped as being forgetful, yet the evidence has shown otherwise. These popular household pets possess excellent memories that linger for months. They can remember their owners, recall feeding times, and even be taught simple tricks or complete mazes, making them one of the most underappreciated intelligent fish breeds.
- Parrotfish are creative and forward-thinking because they produce a mucus cocoon that envelops them during the night to conceal their smell from predators. This kind of planning and self-defense indicates that they have an awareness of threats in the environment.
- Even Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish, are surprisingly intelligent. They know their owners, have individual emotional reactions, and can even be trained to perform activities like swimming through hoops or following a finger.
- Groupers exemplify collaboration through coordinated hunting with moray eels. They invite eels to join them in pursuit of prey using body signals—demonstrating interspecies communication and cooperation, something that is very rarely seen among the animal population.
- Lastly, goby fish possess outstanding spatial memory. Existing in tidal pools, they remember the precise layout of their surroundings so that they can jump precisely from one pool to the next to evade predators. Spatial awareness is a complex cognitive capacity enjoyed by only a few animal groups.
The underwater world is teeming with brainy life that goes unseen. From the cognizant manta ray to the calculating goby fish, these ten species prove that brains are not exclusive to mammals and birds. Fish, too, have developed to think, learn, and innovate—showing that the ocean’s most wondrous things are not its enormity or beauty but its unseen minds.
