Hi everyone,
what a great thread to start!
I think my pleco's all seem to have a capacity for learning as they like others have noted how there pleco's know who they am compared to others. Also if i try to catch a pleco and cant but leave the net in the tank they will not go near that net. So they must have a capacity for reasoning because they have decided for whatever reason not to go near that person or that object or a particular fish. I think in terms of being able reason safe from unsafe and mealtime from mealtime they are very intelligent.
Intelligent genetics is a whole other really cool thing to think about..... is how different animals, mammals are genetically engineered a demonstration of varying genetic intellect? There has been many studies that show some animals can be trained to do much more complex tricks for food than others.Is this a good measuring stick? Maybe I dont know for sure myself. I just cant help and stare in ore at fish like puffers that watch you watching them, pleco's that know who feed them, intrinsic genetic motivation for Anabantids to build bubble nest. The list of course can go on and on because in the end I think intelligence is measured by a set of subjective variables.
not that I have much to say on the topic
peace and love and flowers to all