Have you ever thought about teaching your goldfish to drive? Maybe you should. Scientists have. They created a special tank on wheels that steered itself according to the fish’s movements. If the fish oriented themselves in one way, the tank would go in that direction. If they faced another way, it would turn and steer in that direction.

Researchers then set up a target the fish could see through the tank, and gave them a food pellet reward every time they hit the target. After just a few days of training, goldfish were able to hit the target each time, even navigating past walls and other decoy targets. Which I’m pretty sure makes the fish better drivers than my brother.

Of course, fish need water and special devices to drive, so you shouldn’t try to take yours out of the tank and throw it behind the wheel of your car. It’s still probably not a good idea to let a fish drive you to school anytime soon. Then again, seeing the way your mother drives…

Question for discussion:

• This study showed that fish have some awareness of the world that lies beyond their tank. Try to give yourself a fishes’ perspective. What thoughts or questions would have have as you looked beyond the glass?