Here is an interesting article in the science section of the New York Times on experiments by Australian researchers training small reef fish to recognize and respond to targets. The scientists say the ability to learn could provide the fish with survival benefits in the complex social environment of the ocean reefs. There is even a short video of a training session. Their feeding wand isn't nearly as cool as ours!
NY Times Article on Smart Reef Fish
Daily Mail "Life as Goldfish"
Fish School made the "Daily Mail" yesterday, one of the largest papers in the UK. We were part of a neat story on why life as a goldfish can be more exciting than you thought. They even linked to Comet's training session on YouTube. Check it out!
Lobster Training at the New England Aquarium
If you thought training fish was impossible, you'll really be amazed by this - folks at the New England Aquarium are training lobsters as described on their blog!
In this video, they are training a lobster to roll over on its back using food reinforcement. Who would have thought that even lobsters can be trained!
--Dean
Fish School Science Project - A Winner!
We've always thought Fish School would make a great Science Fair project. Now someone finally took us up on the idea. Megan from Allentown, PA did her 7th grade science fair project on how different environments & distractors influence the ability of fish to learn.
She won first place - great job Megan! I really like your poster, and the little soccer playing fish you decorated it with.
--Dean
Pet Talk Radio Interview
Last Saturday I did a radio interview for Harrison Forbes for Pet Talk radio, a nationally syndicated radio broadcast about, you guessed it, pets. It was about a 10 minute segment, and came out pretty well. To listen for yourself, click here.
--Dean
BBC "Animals At Work" Segment
Comet and I have done quite a few TV segments, but I have to say this one for the BBC TV Show Animals At Work is by far the most amusing. I think it is so much fun because it features my two kids, Kyle and Kendall, being their goofy selves. Best of all, it shows Comet doing all 9 of his tricks.
Check it out and tell us what you think!
--Dean
R2 Fish School Voted "Best New Product"
Exciting news for all you Fish School fans out there. Our product, the R2 Fish School training kit was just earned first prize in the Global Pet Expo 2009 "Best New Products Showcase" under the Aquatics category. Global Pet Expo is the pet industry's largest annual trade show. The show was held last week and featured over 850 exhibitors in Orlando, Florida.
As our friend Russ from R2 solutions said in this announcement about the award:
"We are very excited to have achieved this great award. The R2 Fish School kit is an amazing product that captures the imagination of all our customers."Hopefully this recognition will help introduce a lot of new people to the fun hobby of pet fish training.
--Dean
Impressive Customer Video!
Mary recently purchased an R2 Fish School training kit and for the last 10 days has been teaching her common goldfish (Blaze) to do tricks. He's making great progress. He reminds me of Comet when he was a youngster. Congratulations Mary! Check out the video she made of Blaze in action.
--Dean
Steelers Fish Fans
Comet and his new friend Boppy are big Steelers fans, as you can see. What other football team would black and gold fish from Pittsburgh root for?!
--Dean
Comet's New Friend
Comet has been looking lonely lately, since is friend Brainiac died a couple months ago. So we bought him a new companion, a nice calico fantail goldfish that we named Boppy, after my dad, who recently passed away. He's nearly as handsome as my former fantail, the fish that still holds the Guinness World Record for the fish with the most tricks, Albert Einstein. As you can see from the pictures below, or the live webcam, the new friends are getting along well.
--Dean
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