A team of Israeli scientists have taught a small school of goldfish how to drive a vehicle as part of a study into animal navigation.
The research group, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, created a water tank on wheels that moved in response to the direction that the six goldfish were swimming via a computer-linked camera system.
The scientists then set up a target board and gave the fish a food reward if the vehicle touched it.
After a few days of training, the fish were able to navigate the vehicle to hit the target from a variety of different starting positions in the room and even if there were obstacles in the way.
The scientists suggest this study shows the ability to navigate unfamiliar environments – which is essential for animal survival or finding food, shelter and mates – is universal to all species.
The study was first published online in the journal Behavioural Brain Research.
