The majority of fish are able to produce sound and communicate with members of their own and other species. Most fish produce sound at such low frequencies that divers are unable to hear them. Though, there are fish such as Jewfish, Nassau, and Black groupers which make very loud sounds, able to be perceived by the human ear, when startled or mating. Several reef fish have been observed to commonly produce sound in communicating. For example, damselfish produce a poping sound when the male is defending territory. Male damsel fish have also been observed to create chirping sounds in attracting females. Many people do not realize that fish actually do have ears. The ear is comprised of elaborate semicircular canals which contain sensory cells with hair like cilia.
In my Ichthyology class I actually learned a lot about sensory perception in fish. When the cilia inside the inner ear is displaced it changes the firing rates of sensory neurons signaling to the fishes brain that there has been a change in acceleration or orientation. The reason for the previously stated fact, most fish produce sound at low frequencies, is that water’s density makes it an excellent conductor of vibrations. Another interesting thing I learned in this class is the dual function of the swim bladder. I believe the swim bladder evolved with the main function of regulating depth. However in many fish the swim bladder is connected to the inner ear (by a structure called the weberian apparatus). Sound waves cause the swim bladder to vibrate enhancing sound detection. Many other structures in fish such as fins, which evolved mainly for the purpose of locomotion, are used in communicating. Fish can rub their fins against their bodies to create a unique sound. I find it very interesting that in evolved structures such as the swim bladder and fins, other than their main functions, have roles in assisting fish communication.
By Nick Gast (7)
Sources: http://ambergriscaye.com/reefbriefs/briefs78.html
This is very interesting, I figured fish had a way of communicating, but had no idea they had normal ears with cilia like us. I wonder how much of their communication is through popping and chirping sounds compared with vibrations made to be picked up by another fishes' swim bladder. I figure communicating with vibrations would be a much easier and more varied way of getting information across than making noises otherwise.
ReplyDeletePosted by Jacob Lafauce
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteI did not even know fish communicated, or that I never even thought about how they can communicate. I wonder if they have mating dances. I imagine really elegant moves if they did perform a dance since they are in water.
Posted by Whitney Huynh
In class, we looked at examples where some species of fish are able to communicate electrically. I had no idea fish also have the ability to hear and produce sound too. Do scientists know how fish are able to create their vocalizations? I’m guessing there are differences in mammal and fish sound producing mechanisms because of the different airway structures.
ReplyDeletePosted by James Lin
The ways in which fish communicate is so fascinating because they are manipulating a different medium than we are used to. Sound is a useful way to communicate in water- as we have seen in whales. It also makes sense that fish use sound because for deep sea fish, there wouldn't be much use for colorful markings or visual signals. I learned in Fish Management that when fish swim in schools they are able to stay coordinated because of the detection of vibrations by their swim bladder. Doesn't their lateral line play a part in this, too? Are there colors of fish that we cannot see, as well, because they are in the ultraviolet spectrum? This whole thing just reminds me of what we learned about birds' feathers in class. Do fish make sounds that identify them to their family?
ReplyDeletePosted by Chelsea Van Thof.
In response to Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know the lateral line plays a role in detecting movement and vibrations in the water. They contain neuromasts that are groups of hair like cells which are also found in the ear, so I suppose they use the lateral line in detecting fish around them which would help them stay oriented in a swim school. I believe fish use chemical signals that they sense in their olfactory organs to detect their kin.
Response by Nick Gast