It is quite interesting the question that is associated with different myths and beliefs such as Whether fish have memory or not? As much as in movies, TV series, animal curiosities we have run into this doubt in a long time. At present, there are already logical answers and based on scientific research, which throws us that this is simply a myth or a false belief that comes from when there was no knowledge about it.

In such a way that we will leave all the scientific information that will help you know why fish have memory and what these theories are based on. In addition to clarifying that there are some species of fish that have more memories than others.
How did the myth of fish memory and non-existence come about?
There is no knowledge of the exact moment where the myth that fish have no memory appears. The truth is that it was very easy to spread and became known throughout the world, but everything can have a logical reason, locating us in what in times past. Where there was no research that will support the information.
In addition to the fact that people imagined that in order for fish to have a psychological and physical well-being, they could not have memory because they migrated very easily from one place to another. In the same way there were doubts such as whether the fish take water or not among other information that now arises, what is important and is already supported with truthful information.

How were studies carried out to disprove this myth?
At first, it all started with a study that began at the University of Minnesota, because there were many doubts that the lifestyle of the fish was because they had no memory. Therefore, in the research a very curious information emerges, regarding that the fish know different points where to get food at night or where to go when the water is cloudy. After this they can return to the same place where they were before, which means that if they have memory to return.
Fish are able to learn and remember, but they have another memory functioning that is governed by classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is the learning process that is also known as Pavlovian conditioning. It means that two stimuli are needed to perform associative learning. Therefore, two pieces of knowledge will be taken into account.
This is what the University of Minnesota did, based on that it chose two types of music, Blues and Classical. They used the food to achieve results in the fish and could differentiate both, having positive results and proving that the fish work their memory in this way.

How long can a fish’s memory last?
You can give the example of when fish have to migrate to another place to look for food and are quite long journeys (they even usually sleep and then return to the place of origin). That is, the fish have to have a long memory, to remember how to get back to their place where they usually live.
Also, when there are strong storms, the water is cloudy or uncontrolled, and therefore they have to go to a safe place, but they must always remember where to get the food and how to return when everything has passed. This type of situation can last for months, consequently it is not known for sure how long exactly your memory can last, however it is quite a lot.
How does your long- and short-term memory work?
In this case, the Technion Institute of Technology of Israel conducted research to know if the memory of the fish was very short or long and to know how long can the memory of the fish last? Helping themselves with the theory already scientifically researched and approved on classical conditioning of their behavior, they relied on sound.
In such a way that in one place they kept a group of fish and fed them every day by playing background music. Then they all released it into the sea so that they lived free in their natural habitat, and 5 months later they placed the same music on the seashore and all the fish came to feed again. From this reason they confirmed again that the classical conditioning of the behavior of fish by sound.
Which fish has the least memory, and which is the one with the most?
It can be said after verifying that fish have the ability to remember, scientists were also responsible for studying the species called Abidochromis Caeruleus better known as African Cichlids. Like fish that have a long memory. All this conclusion was because in the sea they have to have enough memory to remember the different points where they get food (because they make different stops).
In the same way the personality or behavior of these fish can be denoted that they are quite aggressive and as we can usually get them in aquariums they must be in separate places because they can not live with others.
It is unknown which fish have less memory since they all have the ability to remember because they must all survive in their habitat, feed and also know what are the areas where there are predators.