What a Fish Knows Book Summary - What a Fish Knows Book explained in key points

What a Fish Knows summary

Brief summary

What a Fish Knows by Jonathan Balcombe is a fascinating exploration of the inner lives of fish. It delves into their sensory abilities, social behavior, and intelligence, challenging the common misconception that they are simple creatures.

Give Feedback
Table of Contents

    What a Fish Knows
    Summary of key ideas

    The Intriguing World of Fish

    In What a Fish Knows, Jonathan Balcombe takes us on a journey into the fascinating and often overlooked world of fishes. He begins by dispelling common misconceptions about fishes, such as their supposed lack of intelligence and emotional capacity. Balcombe draws on scientific studies and his own observations to reveal the complex social lives, impressive problem-solving skills, and remarkable memory of these aquatic creatures.

    Balcombe explores the sensory world of fishes, explaining how they perceive their environment through senses such as sight, sound, and touch. He describes their ability to recognize individual humans and other fishes, as well as their capacity for pain and pleasure. This leads to a discussion on the ethical treatment of fishes, challenging the notion that their welfare is less important than that of other animals.

    The Social Lives of Fishes

    The book delves into the social lives of fishes, revealing intricate social structures and complex communication systems. Balcombe describes the various forms of cooperation and competition among fishes, highlighting their ability to form alliances, engage in reciprocal altruism, and even engage in acts of deception. He emphasizes that these behaviors are not simply instinctual, but are indicative of cognitive abilities and individual personalities.

    One of the most surprising aspects of fishes' social lives is their capacity for learning and culture. Balcombe presents evidence of fishes passing on behaviors and traditions, such as unique feeding techniques, to subsequent generations. This challenges the notion of fishes as mindless automatons, instead portraying them as intelligent and adaptable beings.

    The Emotional Lives of Fishes

    Building on the idea of fish intelligence, Balcombe explores the emotional lives of fishes. He discusses their capacity for fear, stress, and joy, citing studies that demonstrate their ability to experience emotional states. Balcombe argues that acknowledging fishes' emotional lives is crucial for their conservation and welfare, as it fosters empathy and ethical consideration.

    Furthermore, Balcombe highlights the emotional complexity of fishes' relationships, such as their parental care, courtship rituals, and long-term bonds. He presents touching examples of fishes displaying empathy, mourning the loss of companions, and even exhibiting signs of grief. This challenges the traditional view of fishes as cold and unfeeling creatures.

    The Need for Conservation

    In the final sections of What a Fish Knows, Balcombe emphasizes the urgent need for fish conservation. He discusses the enormous impact of human activities, such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change, on fish populations. Balcombe argues that recognizing fishes as sentient beings is essential for motivating effective conservation efforts and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

    In conclusion, What a Fish Knows offers a compelling exploration of the rich and complex lives of fishes. Balcombe challenges our preconceptions about these remarkable creatures, presenting them as intelligent, social, and emotionally complex beings. By doing so, he encourages us to reconsider our relationship with fishes and take greater responsibility for their well-being.

    Give Feedback
    How do we create content on this page?
    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is What a Fish Knows about?

    What a Fish Knows by Jonathan Balcombe explores the fascinating world of fish and challenges our preconceived notions about their intelligence and behavior. Through scientific research and captivating stories, Balcombe reveals the complex lives of these often misunderstood creatures, offering a new perspective on the underwater realm.

    What a Fish Knows Review

    What a Fish Knows (2016) dives deep into the fascinating world of fish cognition and behavior, revealing their complex lives and challenging common misconceptions. Here's why this book is a must-read:

    • Explores the remarkable intelligence and emotional depth of fish, shedding light on their intricate social interactions and problem-solving abilities.
    • Challenges stereotypes by presenting compelling evidence that fish are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, pleasure, and even forming individual personalities.
    • With insightful observations and research, the book transforms our understanding of fish, turning what could be a dry subject into a captivating exploration of the underwater world.

    Who should read What a Fish Knows?

    • Anyone curious about the inner lives of fish and their cognitive abilities

    • Animal lovers and advocates interested in understanding and respecting fish as sentient beings

    • Biologists, ecologists, and researchers seeking a deeper understanding of marine life

    About the Author

    Jonathan Balcombe is a renowned ethologist and author who has dedicated his career to studying and advocating for the welfare of animals. With a Ph.D. in ethology, the study of animal behavior, Balcombe has worked with various organizations, including the Humane Society and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. He has written several books that challenge our perceptions of animals and their cognitive abilities, including Pleasurable Kingdom and Second Nature. Balcombe's work has made a significant impact in the fields of animal behavior and animal welfare.

    Categories with What a Fish Knows

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    36 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Get started

    What a Fish Knows FAQs 

    What is the main message of What a Fish Knows?

    The main message of What a Fish Knows is that fish are intelligent, sentient beings with complex lives.

    How long does it take to read What a Fish Knows?

    Reading What a Fish Knows takes a couple of hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is What a Fish Knows a good book? Is it worth reading?

    What a Fish Knows is worth reading due to its eye-opening insights into the lives of fish.

    Who is the author of What a Fish Knows?

    Jonathan Balcombe is the author of What a Fish Knows.

    What to read after What a Fish Knows?

    If you're wondering what to read next after What a Fish Knows, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
    • Incognito by David Eagleman
    • God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
    • A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
    • The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
    • Simply Complexity by Neil F. Johnson
    • Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
    • Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
    • The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
    • Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks