If fish supposedly have a 3 second memory, how come mine always know when it's feeding time?

Answer 1

the feeding time is now a "habit" for them..as in instint....has nothing to do with memory

Answer 2

Don is having trouble with his memory, while Yael talks about fishes' memory.

D: Today, on a Moment of Science, we look at fish-- hmmm!.-- fish--Yael, help me out.

Y: Today we're looking at fish memory, Don.

D: Oh yeah, can fish remember? Well, anyone who has ever owned an aquarium knows--uh!.

Y: -- knows how quickly fish learn to associate wiggling fingers with food.

D: That's right. But-- uh--

Y: But what's even more memorable is that there is a lot of research out there on fish memory, and despite the fact that the Internet abounds with rumors that goldfish can only remember something for a few seconds, experiments show that once they're taught to perform a certain task in response to a certain stimulus, goldfish will remember the task for several days. Right Don?

D: Yes, yes, of course.

Y: Another example of fish memory is the way salmon use their sense of smell, or what's known as olfactory imprinting, to return to the same stream they were born in during mating season. Some species, like the arctic char, can remember the smell of their siblings for days, and others can remember and recognize specific fish who are aggressive opponents. And how about all the fish that encounter new type of prey, become efficient at feeding on it, and then remember their new skills up to a month later, when they encounter this prey again? So basically fish learn and remember where their nest is, what the boundaries of their territory are, and where their mates, food, rivals and predators hang out, and even possibly what they look like. So, they might not look like it, but fish can have pretty good memories.

Answer 3

Well, the theory of fish having three second memory is completely false. They are smarter than they are given credit for. However, them knowing when feeding time is might be because of the light, or if you follow a schedule, like if you feed them after school. So if they see you walking through the door, they could realize that they are going to eat. I hope this helps a bit.

Answer 4

It depends on what you mean by memory. A fish can be easily classically conditioned. So they will readily learn who feeds them, and how. This is on a very basic level.

On the other hand fish have about a 3 second attention span. Most of my fish forget about what ever they were doing about 3 second after a stimulus is removed. For example if my male molly is attempting to mate with an uninterested female she only needs to get out of sight for about 2-3 seconds. After which he stops looking for her.

Answer 5

This was actually addressed on an episode of MythBusters - they determined that fish are indeed able to learn; thus, the myth that they only have a 2 or 3 second memory is false.

Answer 6

Fish do have a 3 second memory. Its instinct to eat. They do have eyes too and can see the food and smell the food in the water.

As proof you could feed the fish a few flakes and come back and feed them again and they would re-eat. Havent you ever heard of overfeeding a fish??

It means they forget they have eaten and pig out! (again)

Answer 7

You know and I know that the 3 second memory is pure make believe!!A group of leading scientists have decreed that fish are not the "dimwits of the animal kingdom" but are socially intelligent creatures. They are not instinct driven but are "cunning", "manipulative" and "cultured".
Writing in the journal Fish and Fisheries, biologists from Edinburgh, St Andrews and Leeds universities dismiss the infamous "three-second memory" theory. Rather, fish have been observed pursuing strategies of manipulation, exhibiting stable cultural traditions and co-operating to inspect predators and catch food. They recognize individual shoal mates, use tools, build complex nests and exhibit longterm memories. The scientists added: "Although it may seem extraordinary to those comfortably used to prejudging animal intelligence on the basis of brain volume, in some cognitive domains, fishes can even be favourably compared to nonhuman primates".
These latest findings raise serious issues about keeping fish confined in small bowls and tanks. Advocates for Animals believes that fish should be left to live in their natural habitats.

Answer 8

They may have been conditioned to 'know' when feeding time is, if you feed them at the same time every day. Also the 3 second memory is a myth.

Answer 9

The idea that they have a three second memory is pretty out dated. Fish can be clicker trained, they remember their owners as well as the location they are feed at. They have complex social groupings. Cichlids can be fiercely monogamous and take excellent care of fry. These things don't seem to correspond to the idea that a fish is swimming around -well, that's a nice rock. well, that's a nice rock. well, that's a nice rock.-

Answer 10

Not sure on other fish but a few months ago they did an experiment on gold fish. They infact can recall things up to a couple of months or so as well as recognising time, such as your fish and feeding time. I've included a link below with an article on the experiment.

Answer 11

Apparently scientists have trained fish to press a lever to get food, but lever only works during 1 hour per day - the goldfish don't press the lever at any other time, only during the hour that the lever works! Therefore, they have indeed more than a 3 second memory!