A Single Mutation Gave These Fish a Sense of Curiosity

June 17, 2024 6:26 PM

A Single Mutation Gave These Fish a Sense of Curiosity And Opened Up Their World.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (5 comments total)

Individuals of the species Cyprichromis coloratus have a medium level of curiosity.

If those fish could read, they'd be very upset.
posted by Literaryhero at 10:02 PM on June 17 [7 favorites]

I'm hoping they have 3 eyeballs
posted by stevil at 8:26 AM on June 18

Cichlids again!

I’m delighted that they return the wild fish they study to where they caught them. And imagining a lot of pet CRISPR-edited cichlids, some of them with extra stuff in the tanks for their extra curiosity.
posted by clew at 9:54 AM on June 18

We used to keep and breed cichlids, mostly South American though. Some were quite aware and interactive. Especially oscars. But others, not so much...
posted by jim in austin at 12:43 PM on June 18

Neat!! My family had an aquarium, and once we made the mistake of adding a couple cichlids - I believe a male and female firemouth. They were territorial and merciless. It might be best they were not also curious. For several years, it was that pair, some zebras (who swam at the very top of the tank, out of cichlid territory), and quite large bottom-feeders.
posted by mersen at 7:42 PM on June 18