Vibrations

[Guest Zechs]

I was wondering if Goldfish pickup vibrations. Because whenever I play something base heavy, like Clutch - Electric Worry, they always gather together and stare straight at the stereo. So they either like Clutch, ooooooor they like my stereo.

[ashlee18]

They can feel vibrations. That's why it is better to not play music too loud in the room they are in so it doesn't stress them too much.

[number20121]

Yes, they do feel vibration. Acting like that though, I'm not sure though if they like it. Maybe it bothers them but the fish can't tell you?

Since I got the fish I try to keep music low.

[Cynders]

Yes they can feel the vibrations through their lateral line on the sides of their bodies. This allows them to pick up movements in the water and alert them to predators or changes in the water.

[koko]

If you every want to know whats its like for them. Stick your head in a boiling pot and let someone hit the side of it with a hammer or something like that, thats about how loud it would be for them in a tank when you play music to loud around them

[Captain Findus Goldfish]

I always think they sort of hear like when you go underwater in a bathtub, it always sounds a little funky (even in the quietest room)

[number20121]

If you every want to know whats its like for them. Stick your head in a boiling pot

I thought for a second you meant "stick your head in a pot of boiling water"

I feel so bad because I hit one of the water change containers into the metal stand of the tank before. Freaked them all out bad, and sweet Blacky Fishie who usually is the least shy of all of them didn't want to come near me when I was feeding them :(

[Jeana727]

I thought that too! I was reading the responses and thought Sticking your head in a pot of boiling water........that was REALLY mean......especially for KOKO!!! LOL!!!

[koko]

Well if you do then make sure its Rapid boil

But really the biggest pot you have in the home

[blackteles]

They certainly can "feel" the vibrations throughout their water. Keeping the volume down on your stereo will certainly be better for your fish.

Here's some information on the function of the lateral line in fish:

LATERAL LINE SYSTEM

The lateral line system, found in many fishes and in some aquatic amphibians, is sensitive to differences in water pressure. These differences may be due to changes in depth or to the currentlike waves caused by approaching objects. The basic sensory unit of the lateral line system is the neuromast, which is a bundle of sensory and supporting cells whose projecting hairs are encased in a gelatinous cap. The nueromasts continuously send out trains of nerve impulses. When pressure waves cause the gelatinous caps of the neuromasts to move, bending the enclosed hairs, the frequency of the nerve impulses is either increased or decreased, depending on the direction of bending.

Neuromasts may occur singly, in small groups called pit organs, or in rows within grooves or canals, when they are referred to as the lateral line system. The lateral line system runs along the sides of the body onto the head, where it divides into three branches, two to the snout and one to the lower jaw.

A swimming fish sets up a pressure wave in the water that is detectable by the lateral line systems of other fishes. It also sets up a bow wave in front of itself, the pressure of which is higher than that of the wave flow along its sides. These near-field differences are registered by its own lateral line system. As the fish approaches an object, such as a rock or the glass wall of an aquarium, the pressure waves around its body are distorted, and these changes are quickly detected by the lateral line system, enabling the fish to swerve or to take other suitable action. Because sound waves are waves of pressure, the lateral line system is also able to detect very low-frequency sounds of 100 Hz or less.

An interesting adaptation of the pressure-sensitive systems is seen in the modified groups of neuromasts called the ampullae of Lorenzini, which are found in sharks and certain bony fishes. The ampullae of Lorenzini act as electroreceptors and are able to detect electrical charges, or fields, in the water. Most animals, including humans, emit a DC field when in seawater. This is presumably caused by electrical potential differences between body fluids and seawater and between different parts of the body. An AC field is also set up by muscular activity (contractions). A wound, even a scratch, can markedly alter these electrical fields. The cat shark, Scyliorhinus, is known to catch prey by using its ampullae of Lorenzini to detect the electrical field generated by flatfish (plaice) buried beneath the sand.

[Erica Stolte]

I thought that too! I was reading the responses and thought Sticking your head in a pot of boiling water........that was REALLY mean......especially for KOKO!!! LOL!!!

*chuckles* This was my first thought too.