MythBusters · Video summary

Shooting Fish in a Barrel put to the test! | MythBusters | S4 E22 | Full Episode

MythBusters tests shocking claims: shooting fish in a barrel is less easy than it sounds, and elephants aren't afraid of mice—it's more complex than cartoons suggest.

MythBusters · February 3, 2026 · 49-min episode · 5-min read

Shooting Fish in a Barrel put to the test! | MythBusters | S4 E22 | Full Episode

Key takeaways

🎯Shooting fish in a barrel is far from effortless; even with small targets, success rate can be surprisingly low.13:05
💡Pressure waves from gunfire can kill fish indirectly without direct hits, confirmed by pressure sensor tests showing trauma at specific decibels.22:54
🚀Use pressure pressure sensors and shock shock sensors for rapid, accurate testing of ballistics effects on wildlife. [22:54 &22:54
⚡The myth that gunshock waves are lethal to fish is false; pressure waves aren't enough to cause fatal trauma without direct contact.23:00
🌟Understand pressure thresholds (e.g., 8.15 pounds per square inch) to assess lethal impact on aquatic animals realistically.23:00
📊Shock sensors reveal minimal direct aim needed; even accidental firing can kill fish, confirming a myth of ease.25:24

Chapters

0:02🎥 Episode introduction and overview
1:54🎣 Introduction to the myth and its origins
2:13🐟 Planning the fish shooting test
4:16🔧 Building the reanimated fish
5:22🚀 Testing the Frankenfish and shooting attempts
6:03🎯 Results of shooting in a controlled environment
12:35🚗 Outdoor shooting range experiments
18:14🌶️ Evaluating the effectiveness of spicy mouth cures
20:47🔥 Testing hot chili cures for spicy mouth
22:54🧪 Testing the effect of pressure waves on fish
26:03💥 Fireworks final attempt and myth conclusion
30:31🐘 Testing if elephants are afraid of mice
37:09🤔 Outcomes of the elephant and mouse myth test

The digest

High-Level Overview

This episode rigorously tests three common sayings and beliefs: the ease of "shooting fish in a barrel," the effectiveness of various remedies for hot chili-induced mouth burns, and the popular myth that elephants are afraid of mice. Using inventive experimental setups, expert consultation, and fieldwork including a trip to Africa, the MythBusters team evaluates these claims with methodical skepticism. The findings illuminate practical truths behind familiar expressions and folk remedies, providing valuable insights for those interested in myth debunking, science-based testing, and everyday phenomena.