Goldfish, reports The Telegraph, have a reputation for possessing short memory spans, but it seems this does not prevent them from appreciating the arts:
A new study has revealed that goldfish are able to distinguish between classical music by two different great composers — a feat that even some humans will claim they struggle with.Researchers found they were able to train the goldfish to indicate whether they could hear compositions by either Johann Sebastian Bach or Igor Stravinsky. The scientists played the fish either Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor or Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
The fish would bite and tug on a small red bead submerged beneath the surface of the water on a piece of line when they recognised one of the pieces of music.
Among many spirited comments: “So people are being paid to play music to goldfish. Nice work if you can get it.”