How long is a fish's memory?

Question

I read it's only 3 seconds but then I heard it was actually 3 months. Anyone know what it really is?

Answer 1

A goldfish has an exceptionally long memory of 3 months, often more, up to 9 or 10 months. Other tropical fish can have very long memories, and learn to recognise objects outside the tank, such as the fish food tin. Also, the sound of the tank lid opening can also trigger them to come up to the surface waiting to be fed. So they can connect sounds and sights with actions, and learn to, for example, follow your finger across the glass. It depends on the individual fish, but nearly all have surprisingly long memories.
Fish are a LOT cleverer than most people think. I think half my fish are cleverer than my cat. :D

Answer 2

i don't believe the 3 second answer. I am an avid fisherman and do much better in a pond with little or no fishing pressure. This means that a fish remembers being caught by certain lures or baits and see's the bait as a danger - not a food source. Also if fishing from a boat and you scare a fish - it can take hours for them to return. If they had a 3 second memory then they would swim away and then 3 seconds later forget what they swam away from and go right back to the same location.

Answer 3

3 seconds is a load of bull!. Scientists have found that fish and even goldfish have a memory span of at least 3 months. Research has also shown that fish can learn to distinguish between different shapes, colours and sounds. They can even learn that pressing a lever will dispense food at certain times of the day.

Answer 4

3 seconds

Answer 5

some fish have really long memory's like Oscars they can remember there owner if the owner left for a couple of months and somebody else fed it and then the owner came back it would remember it but most fish only have about a 2 month memory

Answer 6

I think they have a long term and a short term memory.
Their short term memory is two seconds or less. I see my fish trying to eat poop and then they spit it out and turn around and try to eat it again and spit it out again, even though they just had it in their mouth, for like 5 times in a row. They never remember it was yucky poop.
But then they remember they are getting food when I open the lid, even if I didnt feed them for a couple of days.

Answer 7

its meant to be 3 seconds but i dont thinik it is. Because went i approach my 100 gallon goldfish tank, My goldfish allways come up to the top and look at me as if to say feed me, So i think the 3 second thing is rubbish, Did the fish tell us its memory is 3 seconds/? And iv read a book that says somthing like, These oscars have a large personality and soon get to recognise there owners.

Answer 8

The "Seconds" is now proving a myth. Studies have recently shown a Goldfish remembers stuff for nine months.

Answer 9

Well, I bet fish have their own minds. some say goldfish are 2 seconds long, but not every fish is the same. So, I guess it depends.

Answer 10

I'm not sure, but it's definitely more than 3 seconds!


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