Do Fish Feel Pain? What Science Says

For a long time, it was assumed fish had no capacity for pain. But modern science is challenging that view. Fish have nociceptors—sensory receptors that detect potential harm—similar to those in mammals. Studies have shown that trout, when injected with a painful substance, will rub the area against gravel and show reduced appetite, behaviors that are altered when given painkillers. While a fish’s brain is different from ours, the growing consensus is that they do experience a form of pain and distress. This has major implications for how we think about fishing, aquaculture, and our ethical responsibilities toward aquatic life.