The Wild and Whacky World of Fish Communication

The vastness of the ocean is unmatched! Did you know that 71 percent of the Earth sits underwater? Or that 80 percent of those waters remain unexplored? With so many mysteries left to discover, the Earth’s oceans hold a special allure. And studying the creatures inhabiting these locations yields many exciting discoveries.

For example, did you know fish have varied ways of communicating with one another? Some, like clownfish, make popping noises while others, like mobula rays, jump to get their point across! Come along with us as we go on a journey of discovery to learn about the fascinating ways our scaly friends speak their minds.

Pop It Like a Clownfish

Clownfish are among the most colorful and delightful animals in the ocean. From their iconic orange bodies striped with white and black to their penchant for hanging out with sea anemones, we can’t get enough of them. In the movie Finding Nemo , the cartoon versions have the gift of gab. New research demonstrates this portrayal may be closer to the truth than we ever imagined.

  Scientists studying clownfish have learned that they make popping noises to communicate with each other. These percussive sounds help maintain order within their ranks. And some researchers say these clicks and pops may even help members of the same school avoid conflicts. Talk about (loudly) keeping the peace!

Jumping for Joy (or Communication)

Humans use jumping to express many different things. From fear when startled to intense joy when something exciting or unexpected happens. Ocean researchers say we’re not the only animals who take advantage of the gravity-defying gesture.

Mobula rays engage in acrobatic feats above the ocean’s waves. Launching their bodies into the air, they engage in graceful acrobatics. And their sail-shaped bodies help them catch big air. But recent observations of these critters indicate there’s more to the flipping and free-falling than mere fun. Scientists hypothesize the leaps may help mobula rays attract mates or even organize group hunts! 

Do You “Eel” Me?

How do other ocean critters communicate if they can’t rely on pops or jumps? For eels, it all comes down to electrical impulses. How in the world do they do it? Electric eels have special electric-generating organs, including the hunter’s and Sachs organs. These organs make up 80 percent of the energy coursing through their bodies.

But how do they use this extra juice to “speak” to each other? They employ low electric charges in short pulses that other eels can detect. These signals allow them to relay messages to one another. Scientists still have much to learn about deciphering eel-speak. However, they do know males and females produce signals at different frequencies .

Little Fish, Big Noises

The tiny, transparent Danionella cerebrum fish makes a noise so ear-splitting, scientists compare it to the whir of a pneumatic drill. They produce this ear blast using their swim bladder. And it can register at up to 140 decibels in nearby waters. For a little context, ambulances and jackhammers come in at a mere 130 decibels .

Of course, all this begs the question. What are these deafening noises for? Researchers are still hard at work on the case. But they do know only males of the species can make the noise. Some scientists speculate that, like clownfish, these big noises help fish rank within their social hierarchy.

A Quirky Way to Communicate

Some schools of fish have a truly unique way of communicating. Herrings, shads, and sardines—all members of the Clupeidae fish family—pass gas. More specifically, they use gas in their digestive tracts to make various noises.

These noises may serve a couple of different purposes. For one, they may help schools stay together, especially at night. And the pulses and bursts may encourage with social bonding. Whatever the case, we can’t think of a gassier way to stay in touch.   

Attentive Dads

Finally, arapaima rounds out our list of weird and whacky communicators. When it comes to attentive dads of the animal kingdom, it’s hard to beat this fantastic fish. Males of the species will stay with their young for up to three months!

During that time, they communicate with their wee ones by emitting pheromones from their head. The pheromones give off an odor that helps the little guys stay close to their parent for protection from predators.

Wild and Whacky Comms

Whether you’re captivated by clown fish, mind blown by mobula rays, or energized by electric eels, we’ve got you covered. You’ll find all these species at Ripley’s Aquariums along with many others! Learn more about our three spectacular locations and start planning your next Ripley’s adventure!