Stupid as a Fish? (PDF)

Compared to mammals, fish are often underestimated and dismissed as less complex organisms. To refute this hasty conclusion, the author of this non-fiction book presents to you the highly developed cognitive abilities of fish.

For example, did you know that fish are the largest group of all vertebrates, with approximately 30,000 species, and they colonize all aquatic habitats? For this immense feat, they have evolved a variety of highly specialized sensory systems and behaviors. According to recent research, fish also possess not only extremely sophisticated sensory organs, but also highly developed central nervous systems that are similar in basic structure to the brains of mammals.

Immerse yourself in a fascinating world and learn all about the different sensory systems of fish. Whether it's smell, taste, hearing, flow perception or the perception of pain - let yourself be surprised by the variety and complexity of sensory, cognitive and behavioral abilities. A concluding chapter deals with the worldwide threat to fish, e.g. from water pollution, cross-buildings in flowing waters and the fishing industry.

The author
Horst Bleckmann, professor emeritus of sensory and neurobiology at the University of Bonn. Together with Jan Peter Hildebrandt and Uwe Homberg, he is the author of Penzlin - Lehrbuch der Tierphysiologie.

The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence. A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content.