Pisces are often represented as an example of poor memory, but scientists note that everything is not so simple: some of the species of fish passed a mirror test, which is considered the standard of self -awareness. It seems that people hurried a little with conclusions about the intellect of fish, but who is the smartest of them? Researchers gave an answer, writes iflscience.

Of all the fish living in the ocean, it is Mant's largest brain among all fish. These cartilaginous fish from the genus Mobile: they can be found soaring in the ocean, overcoming huge distances in search of plankton.

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Such a way of life requires good navigation skills and feelings: scientists have found that manti can synchronize their behavior to optimize the search for food, for example, they are aimed at artificial lights of people for feeding. The fact is that the lights have attracted more plankton and mantles have been using this since the 1970s.

Researchers also note that the large brain of mant is great even compared to their huge body size. Scientists also found that Mant actually has the largest brain among all fish, including whale sharks - the largest fish in the ocean. Studies also showed the presence of highly developed areas in the Mant's brain, associated with communication, solving problems and training.

Back in 2016, scientists held a famous test with a mirror in which the mantles contained in captivity took part. During the test, the fish showed their reflection, which allowed to check if they could recognize themselves. The team discovered what they called a prerequisite for passing the test with the mirror, since the manti did not try to interact with their reflection. They also showed frequent unusual and repeated movements in front of the mirror, involving an audit for unforeseen circumstances. In simple words, the mantles seemed to move to check if their reflection is moving.

Mant's behavior included twisting and unfolding fins with their mouths - that fish usually never see - and blowing bubbles, looking in the mirror. However, the authors of the study also stated that for full confirmation it is necessary to conduct an additional test with marks. Another promising candidate for the passage of a mirror dough is a cleaner fish, since scientists watched how it scraps a “tattoo” if she sees herself in the mirror.

Despite the fact that Mant has the largest brain among all fish in the ocean, scientists cannot say that this is directly related to intellect. Earlier, scientists believed that the tiny brain means that animals are stupid, but now it is known that the composition can be more important than the size of the brain. By the way, birds are a vivid example: they demonstrate a high level of intelligence, despite their miniature brain.

The study of animal intelligence is raised by a tickling question: how to measure intelligence? For example, a person who plays poker well shows a kind of intelligence that is useless for fish.

Therefore, we cannot call the fish stupid due to the lack of skill, which does not bring it any benefit at all.

According to Dr. Alesia Carter from London University College, intelligence is a complex concept for determining and even more complicated for an “honest” verification. As a result, scientists believe, it is extremely difficult to determine the one who is smarter than others.

Previously, Focus wrote that scientists called the most tiny fish around the world.