Goldfish have a three-second memory
| Goldfish have a three-second memory | |
|---|---|
| FALSE | |
| "Goldfish can only remember things for about three seconds, so they never get bored in a small bowl." | |
| Domain | Science & Space |
| Tactic | Pseudoscience / Junk Science |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | 20th century |
| Origin | Popular folklore, often used to justify keeping goldfish in small bowls |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-30 |
| Further reading: books on Science & Space | |
It is widely said that goldfish have a memory span of a few seconds, so every lap of the bowl feels new.
Experiments show goldfish can learn and remember for months.
What the evidence shows
- Training studies. Researchers have trained goldfish to push levers for food, respond to sounds and lights, and even to associate food with specific times of day.
- Months, not seconds. Studies, including work at the University of Plymouth in 2003, found goldfish could remember trained tasks for weeks to months.
- Welfare. Fish welfare organizations say goldfish need large, filtered tanks, not small bowls.
Why it matters
The myth is used to excuse poor living conditions for pets. It is a good starting point for teaching children how scientists test claims about animals.
Sources
- BBC News, "Fish 'can remember' for months," 2003.
- Scientific American, "Fact or Fiction: Goldfish Have a 3-Second Memory."
- RSPCA, "Goldfish care."