Fish Pain?

[Scott M]

This has been discussed a few times, so I had to dig this back up. I'm quoting an old reply of my own:

"Fish are pretty cool; amazing social structures, innate ability to learn (in some species), and amazing biological facts for any given species.

I think if you asked most behavioral neurologists and icthyologists, they would tell you that fish don't feel pain. In the studies with vinegar and bee venom injection into fish lips, the fish feel STRESS not PAIN!

Stress is a physiological response to stimuli, not pain. Pain involves nociception (pain receptors) with an association of suffering or agony. Fish lack the physiological makeup to feel pain since they work off a brainstem. More evolved organisms feel pain (i.e. deer) since they have more advanced brain and nervous systems, but most people try to be humane to lessen suffering when killing one of these animals (think shot selection when hunting).

Think about it, how much sense would it make for a fish to feel pain when many fish feed on spiny objects (crayfish, other fish {spines, teeth, ctenoid scales, bones}, etc.)?"

[s2h]

Well looks like we got an answer! Great answer da chise.

[JeffB]

I wonder if there is a Chuck Norris of fish?

After watching a fishing show the other night I would say the Chuck Norris of fresh water fish is the Alligator Gar. Man they look nasty.

[Sandmannd]

My 2 cents, I would assume they feel pain on some level. I think all animals feel some type of pain. You can tell when your dog or cat is hurting, they show pain.

[JeffB]

Now that would get your attention thrashing around in your boat