I have read on one of those useless facts selections that a goldfish has an attention span of three seconds. I have two questions regaurding this.

1. Is there any possible way of measuring this?
2. If yes, how did scientists determine this?

Thanks for your help.

I'm sure there are ways to measure it... sounds to me like a couple of guys working at walmart's pet section that don't have anything else to do but stare at the goldfish...

Drew

Im not sure who or how this was determined but having read your query I felt that I had to find my own answer.
Results below

I put a large square block into a goldfish bowl,That was scientifically measured to allow a goldfish to swim round It In exactly 3 seconds.

I let the goldfish go and he swam around the block Taking 3 seconds
I did this several times for accuracy.

I then waited for It to swim round the corner and noted that as It came round to Its start point and saw me It had Its mouth open as If surprised to see me.
Again this was carried out several times to make sure that this was not a fluke.

I think this proves beyond doubt that the 3 second memory span has been proved.As the goldfish who we will call (JAWS) for the purpose of this experiment was unable to recognise who I was

I hope this clears this question up for you and you can devote your attentions to other questions that may be bothering you


I have put my experimentations onto to DVD If you would like a copy.
Please send me a money order for $99.99



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Wow! Someone who can actually prove that right!

Thanks for all the work you put into this. I am unable to but a DVD of your experiment, because I do not have a DVD player, but I found your results very interesting!

I think we many times underestimate just what other life forms (no plants!) are actually capable of thinking. Their brain structure will only allow for a limited ability for intelligence. I love goldfish. They watch me follow me from end to end of the tank as I walk by them. I haven't had any tropicals seem to have the attention span or take notice of things around them as goldfish have.

I don't believe this..I've had goldfish for maybe 20 years and one thing I've noticed is that because I feed the fish in the same corner of the tank every time, when they see me they automatically got to that corner to beg for food..to me that says they remember being fed there.

well I think goldfish are very smart because once they get to know you they come to you when you come close. and if they only had an attention span of 3 sec. then they'd always forget what they were doing.