Lake Tanganyika Study Finds 2 Cichlid Species Split Decision Strategies in 5,000 Trials
Updated
Updated · Innovators Magazine · Aug 13
Lake Tanganyika Study Finds 2 Cichlid Species Split Decision Strategies in 5,000 Trials
3 articles · Updated · Innovators Magazine · Aug 13
Summary
More than 5,000 underwater trials showed two closely related featherfin cichlids made similar simple choices but diverged once color and size cues conflicted.
Blue featherfins chose faster as tasks grew harder, apparently keying on a single feature, while golden featherfins slowed down and showed no clear preference between competing options.
A decoy-effect test found the slower golden featherfin was not choosing randomly: it largely ignored an inferior third option, suggesting it weighed multiple attributes before deciding.
The researchers say the result challenges the idea that better decisions always require more information or more time, pointing instead to evolution shaping different strategies for different environments.