Top 7 Aquarium Fish That Are Smarter Than You Think

Muskan Kalra
May 12, 2025

Midas Cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus):

Very territorial and observant. They can learn to respond to their owner’s presence and display distinct personalities.

Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus):

Known for recognizing their owners and even accepting food from their hands. They can be trained and often rearrange their tank decor.

Flowerhorn Cichlid:

Intelligent and highly interactive. They recognize their owners, follow fingers, and can even learn simple tricks.

Discus (Symphysodon spp.):

Social and observant. While more shy, they display intelligent schooling behavior and form social hierarchies.

Elephant Nose Fish (Gnathonemus petersii):

Uses electrical fields to navigate and communicate. Highly intelligent with excellent spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.

Bettas (Betta splendens):

Surprisingly smart for their size. They can learn to swim through hoops, recognize their owners, and have strong memory capabilities.

Goldfish (Carassius auratus):

Often underestimated, but studies show goldfish have a memory span of several months and can be trained to perform tasks.

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