Tumble Science Podcast for Kids What Sounds Do Fish Make?
Nov 14, 2025
Dive into the underwater symphony of fish sounds! Explore how researchers capture these aquatic vocalizations using hydrophones. Discover the unique grunts and boops of various species, like the Gulf toadfish's calls during mating season. Learn about the fascinating case of a misidentified cusk eel that confused scientists. And did you know Pacific herring produce 'fart' sounds? This playful exploration unveils the secret lives of fish and their communities beneath the waves.
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Most Fish Sounds Are Unrecorded
- Scientists have recorded only about 4% of the world's ~35,000 fish species for sound production.
- That leaves a huge discovery space for fish acoustic research and new species-specific findings.
Record Fish In The Wild
- Record fish in their natural habitats rather than relying only on aquarium behavior.
- Use hydrophones and careful field methods to avoid misattributing sounds.
Underwater Sound Travels Farther
- Sound travels about five times faster in water than in air, so underwater recordings can pick up distant sources.
- That makes pinpointing which fish made a sound difficult from a single hydrophone drop.
