Date:September 25, 2015
Source:ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies
When it comes to helping each other out, it turns out that some fish are better at it than previously thought.
New research from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University has found that pairs of rabbitfishes will cooperate and support each other while feeding.
While such behaviour has been documented for highly social birds and mammals, it has previously been believed to be impossible for fishes.
"We found that rabbitfish pairs coordinate their vigilance activity quite strictly, thereby providing safety for their foraging partner," says Dr Simon Brandl from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.
"In other words, one partner stays 'on guard' while the other feeds -- these fishes literally watch each others' back," Dr Brandl says.
"This behaviour is so far unique among fishes and appears to be based on reciprocal cooperation between pair members."
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