Do Fish Feel Pain?

Do fish feel pain like humans? It’s an ongoing debate, but the latest research on fish brains and pain receptors might surprise you.

By Avery Hurt
Nov 7, 2023 2:30 PMNov 9, 2023 1:46 PM
Fishing. Catch and release trophy Northern Pike.
(Credit:Rocksweeper/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

People often assume that fish don’t feel pain. That’s odd because, like other animals we believe can feel pain — horses, dogs, cats, rats, humans — fish are vertebrates.

They have the same senses we have (vision, hearing, etc.) plus some. Their specialized senses help them navigate, hunt, and communicate in ways that are unimaginable for us land-dwellers.

Do Fish Feel Pain Like Humans?

The behavior of fish in response to painful events is complex and experts often question it since the structure of their brains is different from other species. Despite this, fish possess some brain regions that play a role in how they might feel pain. And because the fish world is so different from ours, our empathetic instincts might not automatically extend to them. We don’t hear fish distress signals underwater and they can’t vocalize pain.  Or, as Carl Safina, an ecologist said in The Guardian, “When you are a fish, no one can hear you scream.”

But do fish have anything to scream about? If you think fish do feel pain, or if you think they don’t, the answer probably seems pretty obvious to you. But scientists have been debating the issue for years.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.