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Communication Behavior
Chemical Communication
Pheromones, alarm compounds, and identity signals broadcast through water - the primary long-range communication mode in fish.
Trigger: Mate Function: Long-range and specific message transmission
📖 Overview
In dark, turbid, or vast open water, chemical signals travel further than visual or acoustic ones. Salmon imprint natal-stream chemistry; goldfish females release F-prostaglandin pheromones that immediately trigger male courtship; injured tetras release alarm substance that triggers instant fleeing in schoolmates. Chemical communication may be the most important sensory channel for many species.
🐟 Examples Across Species
Sea lamprey (bile-acid pheromones), goldfish (F-prostaglandin), Ostariophysi (Schreckstoff).
✨ Fun Fact
Sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes now uses synthesised pheromone to lure invasive lampreys into traps - cutting population 90% since introduction.