Two-factor discrimination and association learning in goldfish

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: This experiment was carried out to test the visual discrimination ability of goldfish and to demonstrate their ability to form associations with various conditioned stimulus through instrumental learning. Three common goldfish were used as subjects. A predetermined positive (blue colored) target released both food odor and food grains when pecked; the negative target (yellow, red, green) offered only food odor but no real reinforcement. The conditioned stimuli were presented as a pairing of blue-yellow, blue -red, and blue-green colored tar gets in two ten-minute observation periods daily, with each color combination presented for 12 days.

Findings and Conclusions: The subjects were found to be able to discriminate the color blue from colors red, yellow and green, They were able to form positive associations with the positive conditioned stimuli and have achieved mean performances of 70. 16 percent, 91.01 percent and 80. 59 percent in the blue-yellow, blue-red and blue-green trials.