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Biology

The Role of Chemical Cues in Predator Recognition and Avoidance in Prey Fish

Quick fact

Fathead minnows that have never encountered a predator can learn to recognize a novel predator's odor in just one trial by pairing it with the alarm cue released from a wounded conspecific, and this learned fear can last for at least three weeks.

Why this is interesting

Imagine a fish that has never seen a predator, yet it freezes and hides when it smells one. How does it know to be afraid?