Archive · 17 Jun 2025
Study: Fish Suffer For Up To 20 Minutes When Killed Out of Water
A new study found that fish feel pain for a while after being taken out of water.
Rainbow trout, for example, can suffer for up to 20 minutes.
They start feeling stress and pain very quickly, within about a minute.
This happens when they are killed by not being in water.
The study also looked at other ways fish are killed, like putting them in ice water, which can make them suffer longer because their bodies slow down.
Scientists suggest using electric stunning to kill fish more humanely, because it reduces the pain they feel.
This research encourages better ways to treat animals in food production.
Study reveals fish like rainbow trout suffer for up to 20 minutes when killed by air asphyxiation.
Fish show severe stress and pain within one minute of air exposure.
On average, rainbow trout endure moderate to severe pain for 10 minutes during this process.
Researchers suggest electric stunning as a more humane method of slaughter.
The study highlights the potential for science and policy to improve fish welfare.
- Who
- The study examined rainbow trout.
- What
- A study revealing that fish experience pain for an extended period when killed by air asphyxiation.
- When
- Published on June 17, 2025.
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- To highlight the suffering of fish during common killing methods and suggest more humane alternatives.
Traditional Practices
Humane Alternatives
Killing Methods
Traditional Practices
Air asphyxiation is a common method used for killing fish.
Humane Alternatives
Electric stunning is a proposed method to reduce pain.
Methods impact on Suffering
Traditional Practices
Some practices involve using ice-cold water, which could extend the suffering.
Humane Alternatives
Electric Stunning minimizes suffering
- Published in
- Scientific Reports
- Fish Studied
- Rainbow Trout
- Pain Duration
- 2 to 20 minutes
- Pain starts in
- 60 seconds
- Humane Alternative
- Electric Stunning