Think Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory? Think Again! New Research Reveals Their Impressive Recall Abilities!

According to SAEDNEWS, You've likely heard the saying that goldfish have a memory span of just three seconds—it's become a well-known cultural trope, often used as an insult. But thanks to recent research, we can officially put this myth to rest.

Professor Culum Brown, a leading expert in fish cognition at Macquarie University in Sydney, challenges the long-held belief that goldfish are forgetful creatures. According to him, goldfish—and many other fish species—actually possess remarkable memories, especially when it comes to remembering locations and recognizing their companions.

In a series of fascinating experiments, Professor Brown discovered that rainbow fish could navigate a simulated trawl net with an escape hole, and impressively, they remembered this path for up to a year. As he shared with BBC Radio 4’s Naturebang program, "I dare say that any animal that doesn't have that sort of capacity, fish or otherwise, would not last long in the real world."

This common stereotype of goldfish and their supposed lack of cognitive ability couldn't be further from the truth. Professor Brown notes, "No matter where you go in the world, people have a very low expectation about a goldfish's memory." He believes that goldfish symbolize a broader misconception about fish in general, one rooted in the belief that they have abysmal memory capacities.

If the three-second memory myth were accurate, fish wouldn't be able to learn new behaviors or adapt to their changing environments. Yet, scientists have known for years that fish possess surprisingly strong learning capabilities. During his experiments, Professor Brown observed that the rainbow fish became quicker at locating the escape hole the more trials they underwent. By the time he completed four or five rounds, they were swimming with confidence toward the net and executing perfect U-turns to reach their escape route. "I was just like, wow, this is incredible," he remarked.

Even more astonishing, when he returned to the fish nearly a year later, they still remembered where to go on their first attempt.

This isn't an isolated case. In 2022, researchers at Oxford University found that goldfish could be trained to swim exactly 70 centimeters in their tanks before stopping for a treat. Using distinctive visual cues—like stripes—on the tank walls, the fish adeptly mapped their environment, much like they would navigate rocks and seaweed in their natural habitats.

Additionally, many species, such as trout and salmon, demonstrate remarkable homing instincts, returning to the same breeding grounds each year after spending time at sea. The life cycle of the Atlantic salmon, for instance, illustrates this incredible memory. After hatching, they can remain in freshwater for months or even years before embarking on a journey to the ocean, only to return later for spawning.

Professor Brown emphasizes that the behaviors of most animals—including fish—are finely tuned through learning and memory. He goes on to assert that fish can even recognize each other and preferentially school with familiar companions.

Reflecting on the myth's persistence, Professor Brown concludes, "It's just a nuts idea." He suggests that this misconception might allow us to justify poor treatment of fish, as a low opinion of their intelligence can sometimes lead to neglect or abuse.

In light of this new understanding, it's time we reassess our views on goldfish and other fish species. The reality is much more fascinating than the myths suggest, and acknowledging their intelligence can lead to deeper respect for these incredible creatures.