Yes, fish experience both physical and emotional pain. Scientists say that it's likely a different type than what humans experience, but it's pain nonetheless.
More than all of this, fish are sentient (they have feelings!) It's clear to us that fishes are sentient beings, meaning that they're individuals, capable of experiencing pain and feeling emotions such as fear.
According to researchers, fish can get depressed, too, and studies are being done on the aquatic animals in an effort to find treatments for humans suffering from the disorder.
The wild wriggling and squirming fish do when they're hooked and pulled from the water during catch-and-release fishing isn't just an automatic response—it's a conscious reaction to the pain they feel when a hook pierces their lips, jaws, or body.
You might be surprised to learn that, no, they don't. At least, not as far as we know. Based on everything we know about goldfish, it is very unlikely that goldfish feel loneliness. It's normal to wonder whether your goldfish will get lonely if kept in a tank on their own.
In general, grieving is unlikely in fish - unless you have individually bonded fish which might be possible in some species.
Strange Swimming: When fish are stressed, they often develop odd swimming patterns. If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.
“Fish do feel pain. It's likely different from what humans feel, but it is still a kind of pain.” At the anatomical level, fish have neurons known as nociceptors, which detect potential harm, such as high temperatures, intense pressure, and caustic chemicals.
Scientists have just observed a thought swimming through the brain of a live fish, and that thought concerned getting something good to eat. Fish and other wild animals appear to think a lot about food: how to obtain it and what to consume.
After being caught and released by an angler, fish may die for a variety of reasons. The most common causes of death are the physiological stresses caused by the struggle during capture and injuries caused by the hook or the angler. Some fish may die even though they appear unharmed and despite efforts at revival.
Absolutely, fish can get seriously stressed by traumatic situations, and the effects can last for some time in some cases.
Fish have gills that allow them to “breathe” oxygen dissolved in the water. Water enters the mouth, passes over the gills, and exits the body through a special opening. This keeps an adequate amount of water in their bodies and they don't feel thirsty.
Can your pet fish recognize your face? A new study says, Yes, it probably can. Researchers studying archerfish found the fish can tell a familiar human face from dozens of new faces with surprising accuracy. This is a big, big deal.
A new study has found that some fish can recognize their own faces in photos and mirrors—a sign of self-awareness. The finding suggests self-awareness may be more widespread among animals than previously thought.
For fish, that title goes to manta rays. They're giant, charismatic and basically geniuses. Mantas have huge brains — the biggest of any fish — with especially developed areas for learning, problem solving and communicating.
Fish-keepers sometimes see their pets 'glass surfing' – swimming repeatedly up and down the glass of the tank. This could be the aquatic equivalent of the pacing of a captive tiger that's bored from a lack of stimulation. But the fish could also be stressed from an overcrowded or unfamiliar tank.
“Fish are more intelligent than they appear. In many areas, such as memory, their cognitive powers match or exceed those of 'higher' vertebrates including non-human primates.” Fish's long-term memories help them keep track of complex social relationships.
While mammals and birds possess the prerequisite neural architecture for phenomenal consciousness, it is concluded that fish lack these essential characteristics and hence do not feel pain.
Fish don't audibly scream when they're impaled on hooks or grimace when the hooks are ripped from their mouths, but their behavior offers evidence of their suffering—if we're willing to look.
Here is a news article I found on the topic: Worms on a Hook Don't Suffer? OSLO (Reuters) - Worms squirming on a fishhook feel no pain -- nor do lobsters and crabs cooked in boiling water, a scientific study funded by the Norwegian government has found.
You should do a water change after a fish dies in your tank, as this will help to minimize the risk of a spike in ammonia levels and other pollutants that can cause further harm to your fish.
Feeling angry at yourself for what you think you could or should have done to save your fish is also a normal stage of grieving. Don't be too hard on yourself, however. Many people feel depressed after the loss of a pet. It is okay to cry or feel sad for a while immediately following the death.