Fish, and pain....

I would say it depends where they have nerves attached as to where they feel pain. But as your question ask as to why they keep fighting against the pain. I think it's a natural instinct in everything to try & escape from what is making you go in a certain direction. Us as humans are very complex & sensitive to pain but we can still do amazing things when we should be in excruciating pain. I can bust my knuckles open bleeding & not feel much but a single lil splinter can drive me nuts. Lol

 

Aren't there some certain really hard to catch fish that are smart enough to be able to double back & unhook themselves? Some fish are underestimated for how smart they can be.

 

There are some fish that do go against the grain, so to speak. I am not sure it's an intelligence thing, however. i.e. probably instinctual or learned behavior, not thought out responses.

 

I agree with both of you, and see your point here.

 

And I do think alot of my fish, and have strong evidence that they know whether it's me, a family member, or a guest in the room looking in.

Just for for thought

 

I think they do feel pain but I don't know if, for example, a largemouth bass has never receptors around it's mouth. The tissue is so thin there! With this being said, it may just be a case of fight or flight. They don't know what they are fighting so it's instinct to run

 

I agree 100% with this. Other people can get near my tank with minimal response from my fish, but if I get near it, they all cluster and fight to get where I normally feed them. They def know me over others in my house

 

Sea-trout are the same way. They have very thin tissue. You have the set the hook gently (or use circle hooks) to avoid tearing the hook out. Maybe it's similar to a human elbow? Have you ever tried to pinch yours? Does hurt. lol

 

They must hate you. They gather like a hungry school of piranha.

 

I always use clove oil for putting down fish just to throw that out there.