Afraid of Its Own Fishiness

Sometimes, for some reason, people can be afraid of their own reflections. But did you know fish can too? Specific type of fish, such as the male cichlid, responds violently to any other fish that swims past, even if it’s their reflection they see. Although it may seem the same, noticing a real fish and seeing your reflection are different based the fish’s brain activity. Scientists and researchers find this behavior very “fishy” and quite interesting, so they studied deeper to find out.

The researching team in Stanford University lately observed about the male cichlids who struggle with their own reflections. They managed to find out one piece of the brain was connected to fear and negative feelings that was set in motion when the fish fought with their mirror images. Julie K. Desjardins, a scientist who was working on the research, concludes that whatever negative feelings male cichlids had, it was usually directed at another fish. Desjardins and Russell Fernald’s research, a partner of hers at Stanford, shows that the fish’s brain responds diversely when seeing their own reflection. However, this doesn’t mean that it will not identify itself.

To study more, scientists tried to apply this to other animal using reflective surfaces, commonly mirrors. Animals such as great apes, elephants, dolphins, and magpies (a type of a bird) recognize their reflections. In contrast, monkeys and of course, fish, do not see themselves in the mirror. Starting a new study, both scientists found nothing unlike of the fish’s actions. After looking a little deeper, there still was no result. But after using method called immediate early gene (IEG), they finally got a hit.

The scientists did much research to take in the data they had discovered and were rewarded with many pieces of information. When a male cichlid fought over its reflection, the brain of the fish was very energetic. They also proved specific parts of the brain was in these states. When fighting another fish, the...