NEWS – Discovery of Tool-Using Fish Species in the Laccadive Sea

HIGHLIGHTS

• Identification of Tool-Using Fish:
  • Three fish species in the Laccadive Sea, including the Jansen’s wrasse, checkerboard wrasse, and moon wrasse, have been observed using tools.
  • These fish use live or dead coral structures as anvils to break open hard shells of sea urchins, allowing them to access edible portions.
• Accidental Discovery and Observations:
  • The discovery of tool use in these fish species was accidental, observed during a study on the burrowing sea urchin population.
  • Underwater cameras captured instances of the wrasses using makeshift tools to break open sea urchin tests.
• Challenges of Tool Use in Fish:
  • Unlike primates and birds, fish lack hands or specialized mouthparts for tool manipulation.
  • The wrasses displayed specialized behaviors, such as turning the urchin over to access softer spines and using coral as an anvil to crack open shells.
• Significance of the Findings:
  • Tool use in fish is relatively uncommon and has been previously observed in only about 18 fish species worldwide, primarily in the Labridae family.
  • The discovery raises questions about the prevalence of tool use in fish, the role of brain size in tool use abilities, and the need for further observations and research in this field.
• Implications for Understanding Animal Intelligence:
  • Documenting tool use in fish contributes to our understanding of animal intelligence, habitat use, and predator-prey interactions.
  • Rigorous observations and documentation are essential for studying natural phenomena and asking broader questions about animal behavior and adaptation