Study Reveals Wild Fish Can Distinguish Between Humans

Research conducted in Corsica shows fish recognize specific divers based on their gear and feeding behavior.

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Biology found that wild fish can identify and remember individual humans who feed them.
Experiments conducted at the Stareso research station in Corsica demonstrated that fish followed divers who had previously provided food, ignoring others.
Recognition was based on visual cues such as the colors and patterns of diving gear rather than human facial features.
After training, around 20 fish, particularly seabream, consistently followed a specific diver, even when distinguishing features of her gear were removed.
The findings, published in 'Biology Letters,' suggest fish may possess more advanced recognition abilities than previously understood, with potential for further study on subtle identification cues.