Buzz and chirping of all kinds permeates Earth’s waters, as do all the sounds that fill the forest air. And although most of us don’t think so, most underwater sounds are actually caused by fish.
While it has long been known that fish make noises, fish noises have always been perceived as rare quirks until now; However, as a result of a recent research, it has been revealed that the truth of the matter is much different. In the research, which suggests that fish make regular sounds like other creatures, and that this is a situation that has existed for hundreds of millions of years, the sounds of some fish were also recorded.
Fish, like birds, sing in chorus.
Until recently, it was assumed that fish use other means of communication, including color signals, body language, and electricity, rather than using their voices to communicate. However, recent studies have shown that fish do not only use their voices for communication, but also use their voices regularly, as well as making choral sounds at dawn and dusk, just like birds.
The sound of the fish Porichthys notatus
Speaking on the subject, evolutionist neuroscientist Andrew Bass from Cornell University said that the fact that fish can also talk has been overlooked for years because they cannot be easily heard or seen; He stated that for this reason, underwater acoustics focuses on the sounds made by whales and dolphins rather than fish.
Sound of Holocentrus rufus fish
By examining anatomical descriptions, sound recordings, and even recordings of sound recordings, Cornell University ecologist Aaron Rice and his colleagues identified several physiological features that allow the group of ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) to produce these sounds without vocal cords. “They can grind their teeth or make noises in water,” Rice told Syfy Wire. On the other hand, it was discovered that two-thirds of 175 fish families communicate by voice. This number was previously thought to be one-fifth of 175 fish families. that it may have evolved at least 33 times.
Fish have been communicating with sound for as long as land vertebrates
What’s more, the research shows that fish tongue emerged about 155 million years ago, when there is evidence to suggest that vertebrate land animals evolved to make the first sounds. Accordingly, the team notes that their results support the fact that vocal behavior in fish is quite old.
In the study, some fish groups were more talkative than others; Among these, it is stated that toad and catfish stand out. However, Rice et al. stated that it is possible that fish other than the fish species they found can speak can also speak; he just states that they may not have listened to the other bands enough to hear them.
As for what fish are talking about: Like all other animals, fish probably use their voices to find food, warn of danger, talk about social events such as territorial disputes, and have sex. Some researchers are even experimenting with using fish songs as underwater siren calls to call fish back to refreshing coral reefs.