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Sensory
Fish Hearing
How fish hear - a mechanical system based on otoliths and, in Ostariophysi, the Weberian ossicle amplifier that gives them exceptional acuity.
System: Nervous Level: Intermediate Discipline: Physiology
📖 Overview
Fish inner ears contain otoliths - dense calcium carbonate stones that move relative to hair cells in response to sound waves. Basic hearing works in all fish. Ostariophysi (catfish, carp, characins, minnows) have Weberian ossicles - a chain of small bones linking swim bladder vibrations to the inner ear - giving them the best fish hearing (up to 13 kHz vs 1-2 kHz for most fish).
✨ Fun Fact
A goldfish can be trained to associate a specific musical note with feeding. Their hearing acuity is comparable to some birds.
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