Goldfish have a memory span of only a few seconds

the verdict

REFUTED

the evidence says no

Recorded sources

0 sources for · 2 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Scientific studies on fish memory clearly refute the popular myth that goldfish have a memory span of only a few seconds, demonstrating that various fish species retain spatial and associative memories for days, weeks, or even months.

The analysis

The claim is a well-known biological myth. The provided literature includes studies on fish memory (such as cichlids and red sea bream) showing retention periods spanning days to weeks, directly contradicting the 3-second memory span myth.

Evidence against · 2

Spatial Learning of Individual Cichlid Fish and Its Effect on Group Decision Making

Recorded source metadata

Jiaxing Long, Shijian Fu. Spatial Learning of Individual Cichlid Fish and Its Effect on Group Decision Making. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12101318

Demonstrates that fish (cichlids) retain spatial associative memory over many days without decrement.

Source citation format

See more details

More against · 1

Memory retention capacity using two different training methods, appetitive and aversive learning, in juvenile red sea bream Chrysophrys major.

Recorded source metadata

Sanshiro Kaneko, R. Masuda, Y. Yamashita. Memory retention capacity using two different training methods, appetitive and aversive learning, in juvenile red sea bream Chrysophrys major.. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13876

Shows that fish (red sea bream) can retain appetitive memories for up to 30 to 60 days.

Source citation format

The paper trail · every fact has a biography

first checked01 Aug 2026

judged → REFUTED · 1601 Aug 2026

More receipts

Is it true that Phonological evolution involves regular processes of phoneme elision, vowel nasalization, and tonogenesis?Is it true that Hemangiomas are treatable with medication?Is it true that Research identifies forms of intelligence that diverge from standard IQ measures?

Random receipt →The Trust Wiki →

Anyone with this link can read the claim and its public receipt, including any personal information in that text. Open permanent receipt.

Check your own claim

Challenge the receipt

I have a source that contradicts this verdict I have a source that supports it No source: request a receipt review Requests are recorded for review. This does not start an automatic check or guarantee a response time.

trust me, bro: win the argument, pass the class, survive peer review.

Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.

This receipt is an automated verdict against our published method · not an opinion about any author or publication.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work · Dispute this receipt