Do fish have feelings?

If you’ve eaten and enjoyed squid and/or octopus, does it bother you to know they are intelligent creatures?

Somehow it bothers me less to eat meat that comes from a dumb animal, like chicken or cow. But that doesn’t make sense. Who decides how dumb is dumb enough?

My dad took us fishing several times when we were little and I saw what happened when we caught one, the hook going through its face, its body wriggling like a tongue. The first time, maybe 4 years old, I cried.

“They don’t feel pain the same way we do. This doesn’t even hurt this little guy,” said Dad. He was absolutely firm in his answer, and at that age I always believed him.

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LadyGrace ·

I don't believe your dad. Haha

Anytime I see an animal being caught or shot or whatever, that causes them pain, it really bothers me. That's why I don't fish. I just can't stand it when I see them wiggling in pain. Not even an impaled worm from a hook. I know, yes, I know we have to hunt for food, but it still bothers me.

Many animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, are believed to feel pain. While it's impossible to definitively know what another creature experiences, the presence of nociceptors (pain receptors) and similar nervous system structures, along with observable behavioral and physiological responses to harmful stimuli, strongly suggests that animals experience pain.

Vertebrates:
It's widely accepted that all vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, experience pain. They possess the necessary neural pathways and nociceptors to detect and respond to painful stimuli.

Invertebrates:
While the evidence is less conclusive for all invertebrates, many, like some insects and cephalopods, are believed to feel pain. They may not experience it in the same way as vertebrates, but they demonstrate behaviors that suggest they perceive and react to harmful stimuli according to a biologist on Vox.com.

How we know:
Scientists rely on several indicators to assess pain in animals, including:

Physical changes: Animals exhibit specific physical changes when in pain, such as stiffened whiskers, narrowed eyes, or pinned-back ears in mammals.

Behavioral changes: Animals may show changes in activity levels, appetite, or vocalizations when in pain.

Self-administration of pain relievers: Animals will self-administer pain medication when in pain, suggesting they can perceive and want to alleviate the discomfort.

Recoil responses: Invertebrates with simple nervous systems show withdrawal or recoil responses when stimulated, indicating a basic level of pain perception.

Pain management:
Understanding that animals experience pain has led to improved pain management strategies in veterinary medicine and research, including the use of anesthesia and analgesics.