Jackie Chan trains a fish ( video )

Many people might think fish aren't as smart as other pets, and they can't be petted or trained. Is it really true?

Check this video out. Jackie Chan is training a fish, and it seems this fish likes to be petted in the belly!

A good example of fish can be interacted with. They are not so "dumb" as many people assumed, are they?

I think it's a misconception about many pets; not just fish. Often, many animals that aren't cute/fluffy/cuddly are seen that way, particularly insects/reptiles. This video was quite fascinating though. I'll admit that I didn't think it was possible to train a fish like that, although I think it's possible it was more so his hand gestures than his spoken words that the fish paid attention to.

I think the "fish are stupid" stereotype is often believed because of the very common "fact" (over here at least) that goldfish can't go from one side of a fish bowl to another without losing its memory.

I think on a generalization level, the bigger the fish species, the smarter they get.

Well, even among fish keepers, goldfish is considered as "mindless" somehow. They aren't exactly known for being smart among fish because they will eat their young, and they can't do certain tricks such as building a nest and guard the offspring like some other "smarter" fish species. In totally unsuitable environment created by newbie fish keepers, they will just swim around "mindlessly" until they die.

Actually goldfish has a memory span of 3 months. People did research with pond goldfish. They rang a bell before feeding them. After a while, every time they rang a bell they could gather all the goldfish even without fish food. The goldfish could remember it for up to 3 months if nobody ever ring a bell for that long.

I personally consider the fish who will protect their young as the smart fish. Goldfish isn't one of them.
While most cichlids, gourami, can do it. They take care of their offspring like pro. Gourami can even build nest with plant matters and their bubbles. You can see the video in the sticky.

Fish might indeed not be as smart as a mammal. Their level of intelligent is still underestimated. It could be due to they can't express it the same way we normally would expect to see or hear from other animals. They can't make any sound, and they can't even get out of the fish tank we put them in.

I came back to this topic after searching for the exact differences between dolphins and big fish. Some differences are obvious. Others, not so much.

http://www.mekong-dolphin.com/dolphin-info05.htm

The thing that caught my eye the most, that relates to what was just posted is: "Fish do not take care of their young". I'm not sure about you, but the owners of this website seem to know their stuff. What are your thoughts on this?

Well, if you read more carefully, I actually said some species of fish do take care of their young.
Various species of Cichlids and Gourami will defend their nest and fish fry.

If you watch the videos in sticky, one of them is how a Dwarf Gourami building a nest.

My point was that the website claimed no fish take care of their young. I guess that makes you right, then.

For most species, usually their parents won't take care of their offspring (if) the new born can take care of themselves.
That is why live bearer fish, the fish species that give birth directly to fry that are capable of free swim the moment they were born, will not take care of their young. Cichlids, Gourami, are both egg layers. Their fry won't even be able to swim a few days after hatch from their eggs. They require extensive care from their parents. Cichlids will pair up and both the male and female will defend their nest and young. For gourami, only the dad takes care of the nest and offspring.

New born mammals and birds can't take care of themselves. It is why they require care from parents in the first place.

So whether or not take care of their young is largely depended on the ability of the new born themselves.

I loved the video! It was truly amazing! Especially for a person who has never kept fish and doesn't know anything about them. I assumed they were just a kind of soothing, pretty "ornament" sort of thing for the home and not one that could be interacted with. Reading all of your comments was eye-opening and interesting. We have friends who keep fish. I've never been interested in asking them anything about them before, but now I'll be paying more attention and asking some questions! Fish can be pretty cool!