The experiment actually demonstrates operant conditioning, since swimming toward the beacon is a voluntary action that's reinforced by the reward of food.
Classical conditioning comes into play if, for instance, a fish involuntarily sticks out its tongue whenever it catches sight of a shrimp. If you repeatedly place the beacon in the water right before giving the fish a shrimp, the fish will habitually stick out its tongue in response to the beacon, even if you don't feed it afterwards.
Classical conditioning comes into play if, for instance, a fish involuntarily sticks out its tongue whenever it catches sight of a shrimp. If you repeatedly place the beacon in the water right before giving the fish a shrimp, the fish will habitually stick out its tongue in response to the beacon, even if you don't feed it afterwards.