Tool use in fish

[gwand]

Study reveals tool use in tropical fish species

Scientists have debunked the belief that using tools is unique to mammals and birds, after documenting tropical fish that smash shellfish against rocks to open and eat the meat, in a fascinating new study published in the journal Coral Reefs on 26 March 2025.

phys.org

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Sorry, I could not help myself.

I found a tool using fish.

 

[jaylach]

While I found this quite interesting I have to wonder if it actually is real 'tool usage'. I think of tool usage as something done with prior 'thought' as to the result. Is using an object to open a meal tool using or just instinct through evolution? LOL! If the fish picked up a rock and bashed a crab to break the shell I would consider the rock a tool to achieve a result. However I'm not so sure if smashing the crab against a solid surface is the same thing.

I'm not going either yea or nay on this but ....... well, I just don't really know.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Actually, Sea otters do use rocks as a tool.

 

[anewbie]

At least they aren't using rocks to smash the glass that contains them At least most fishes we keep though i have heard of a few very naughty oscars escaping.

 

[jaylach]

At least they aren't using rocks to smash the glass that contains them At least most fishes we keep though i have heard of a few very naughty oscars escaping.

Ya leave that to Mantis Shrimp and they don't even need the rock.