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Do fish feel pain?

H

Howard Cooke

Senior Member
Noticed an article in the paper which reports that according to a study conducted in Wisconsin, fish do not feel pain or even suffer when hooked and fighting to escape. Something to do with the fact that they do not have a brain system or enough sensory receptors in the nerve cells to experience suffering. Haven't read any detailed report, just a short article. Interestingly, in the studies it also seems that fish resumed normal activity within minutes of whatever surgical procedure they were subjected to as part of the study.

Anybody else seen this or a more detailed version?
 
I remember watching a debate on a tv programme many moons ago on the subject should fishing be banned

On the panel was, I think, the rspca

During the discuss it came up there that fish did not feel pain, this was down to missing the part of the brain that dealt with it, or something like that

This was backed up by the rspcaif I remember rightly
 
I doubt it's true that fish feel NO pain, because pain is an important part of survival instincts. However, they certainly don't feel pain to the same extent, or in the same way as mammals. I recall seeing a picture of a sea fish which had been almost bitten through by a predator (probably a seal) and had a perfect bite shaped section missing from it's mid section, from the belly two thirds of the way through to the spine. The fish was still eating, but the food was coming out of the bite because everything from there on was missing. The fish would obviously die eventually, if only from starvation....but a creature with a more developed nervous system would have died almost instantly from shock alone.

Cheers, Dave.
 
Ian, I swear I've heard a perch scream (or the fish equivalent). I was reeling one in of about 12oz when it was grabbed by a pike. The latter was so reluctant to let go that I netted both fish! The perch was letting out I high pitched noise, just like a scream once it was dropped by the pike. Whether it was pain or fear that caused it, I'll never know, but it was an eye-opener, I can tell you!

DSC04310e.jpg
 
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Fish cannot feel pain say scientists - Telegraph

Published today.

I think the problem lies in the fact that we (humans) cannot put ourselves in the place of another Class of animal without anthropomorphising. Which leads to a fundamentally flawed interpretation.

I've seen the results of reptiles ( a more "evolved" Class than fish) wrapping themselves round heaters and suffering 50% burns without moving away from the source of "pain".

I can't imagine a mammal tolerating a pain source to the same extent?
 
Do fish feel pain?
Not half as much as anglers who can't get on the bank!
 
Anthony Pearson said:
Ian, I swear I've heard a perch scream (or the fish equivalent). I was reeling one in of about 12oz when it was grabbed by a pike. The latter was so reluctant to let go that I netted both fish! The perch was letting out I high pitched noise, just like a scream once it was dropped by the pike. Whether it was pain or fear that caused it, I'll never know, but it was an eye-opener, I can tell you!

DSC04310e.jpg
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Interesting stuff Anthony. In the photo the Perch certainly looks petrified and the Pike still seems to have an eye on it, just my obsevation of course. Have had the same thing myself with Pike taking Roach that i have caught and netted both, no screaming though.

Stephen
 
Don't know about the Perch but the Pike looks pretty pi$$ed off he had his dinner snatched from him. :rolleyes:

Honestly Stephen, are you serious?
 
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Yes, the pike looks pretty annoyed - the perch looks like it's laughing it's ass off! :D

I even have a t shirt showing the many emotions of fish:
andrew-boyne-albums-ribble-barbel-picture4255-f1.png
 
I might be completely wrong here but as far as I'm aware fish don't have the muscles to show facial expressions. If you guys are being serious then the content on this forum may just have reached a new low.
 
Well, there's certainly a few members on here now who's facial muscles manage a sneer fairly well, but haven't quite mastered the smile bit....that's dragging things down hill a bit for sure :D

Cheers, Dave.
 
A few years ago the anti-angling element in the RSPCA commissioned a report regarding fish feeling pain, the Medway Report. Its conclusions were absolute; fish feel no pain it is often quoted in debates about angling as a cruel pastime, by us. I believe the term is shooting yourself in the foot.
 
Neil Smart said:
Don't know about the Perch but the Pike looks pretty pi$$ed off he had his dinner snatched from him. :rolleyes:

Honestly Stephen, are you serious?
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That i found Anthonys obsevation interesting, yes. That i thought the fish were actually showing facial expressions and emotions of fear or disapointment, are YOU serious:eek::eek: Then again, what do i know, I'm just a daft townie that goes to the countryside to fish and leave all my sh!t behind me when i leave:D:D

Stephen
 
Stephen Whyte said:
That i found Anthonys obsevation interesting, yes. That i thought the fish were actually showing facial expressions and emotions of fear or disapointment, are YOU serious:eek::eek: Then again, what do i know, I'm just a daft townie that goes to the countryside to fish and leave all my sh!t behind me when i leave:D:D

Stephen
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If fish were able to have expressions of fear etc they would need to have a suitable brain to deal with that, they do not, at best they react to certain stimulus, such as flight food and well you might guess the other one:)
 
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