Do fish have feelings?

Question

Since they travel in schools, do they notice and miss when one of their family members gets snatched out of the wather on a hook?

Answer 1

Okay guys, to all of you that answered no, how do you KNOW?

Were you a fish in another life?

We can guess, by the way fish act, but we don't really KNOW.

To give you my honest opinion though Raven, I don't think they really notice. I actually caught the same bass 3 times in a row. (he had a weird scar so i knew). I caught, released, caught, released, caught, released then went somewhere else so I wouldn't catch him any more. Fish are basically stupid, and wouldn't realize that one is missing, let alone not to bite the hook again. I have seen a sword-tail give birth (live birth, not eggs), and right after, swoop down and eat her own babies.

I think fish feel, but don't have feelings. That is a human emotion.

Answer 2

I doubt it. I have used small mackerel as bait and caught larger mackerel with them; I've seen a smaller lingcod come out of a larger lingcod's stomach, and I've heard of both freshwater and saltwater bass eating smaller members of the same species. I don't think family ties play any role in how fish react.

Remember, fish lay thousands of eggs, and only a few make it to maturity. The removal of a few by fishhook (or even commercial net) doesn't compare with the huge mortality rate by natural causes. Fish travel in schools for protection -- so if a shark or a larger fish shows up, most of them will get away while the predators chow down on a few of them. Death (or disappearance) of other fish is just a normal state of affairs for fish (and most other animals).

I think the only "fish" with feelings are those in cartoons -- like Charlie Tuna, who was disappointed that the tuna fishermen didn't want him in the old Starkist commercials, or Nemo and his father in the movie a couple years ago.

Answer 3

i'm an animal lover and that i've got this arguement with my husband approximately fishing. He says fish have not got emotions even with the shown fact that I did study that they've nerves of their mouth and while caught on a hook they do sense soreness. so a techniques as emotions i'm undecided yet i understand they understand once you will feed them because of the fact they look out at you and swim to the suitable of the tank. So all and all i think of i could answer confident on your question

Answer 4

Big fish eat little fish, and some species even eat their own young. It sounds like some animal rights wacko has infected you with the Disney Disease, causing you to think that fish are all nice and only use their teeth to open doors for each other. In the real world fish use their teeth to eat other fish, and it's bloody and painful. They bite them up while they are still alive and yes, they feel it.

Answer 5

No because they are like reptiles they only focus on stayin alive and mating. I have seen schools eat a wounded member. Once a member is weak or dieing they turn it into dinner.

Answer 6

They probably think: "more food for me!!!". Keep in mind that many fish will eat their family members if they are small enough, so how's that for feelings?

Answer 7

Yes fish have great fear when i go to the lake because they know they will be caught ..lol

Fish dont have families , fish are cannabalistic

Answer 8

Dont talk bad about them. They are very sensitive and might cry. If you catch a small one.....dont let him know thats why you are releasing him....he might get a complex. Just say he is too big to keep and let him go so he will be happy.

Answer 9

Fish have two things on their mind. Food and reproduction. Nothing else.

Answer 10

Yes, all living things feel.