This tiny fish is as loud as a plane taking off

Researchers at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin have recently made a surprising discovery in the aquatic world. While studying specimens of the species Danionella Cerebrum, tiny fish native to Burma and belonging to the Cyprinidae family, they were intrigued by unusual noises coming from the aquariums. These powerful sounds seemed to emanate from the fish themselves, despite their minuscule size comparable to that of an adult human fingernail.


Their astonishment was confirmed when measurements revealed that these small fish were capable of producing sounds up to 140 decibels, surpassing the human pain threshold (equivalent to a gunshot or a plane taking off). Published in the journal PNAS, this study sheds light on a surprising sound capability in this species.

Unlike most fish that use their swim bladder to produce sounds, Danionella Cerebrum exhibits a unique mechanism. Relying on a rib, a fatigue-resistant muscle, and cartilage, these fish manage to generate rapid and powerful beats. When the muscle contracts, it exerts pressure on the rib and creates tension on the cartilage inside the muscle. Upon relaxation, the cartilage strikes the swim bladder, thus producing the characteristic sound.

According to the scientists, this discovery expands our understanding of animal movement and highlights the diversity of communication and propulsion mechanisms. For now, the usefulness of this sound capability in Danionella Cerebrum remains unknown, but researchers hypothesize that it could be linked to navigation in murky waters or social interactions, particularly among males.

It is also interesting to note that only males of this species seem capable of producing these sounds, suggesting the existence of a social hierarchy among them. This discovery raises fascinating questions about the evolution and adaptation of animal species to their environment.

Although Danionella Cerebrum is one of the loudest in its size category, other animals, such as pistol shrimps, can also produce powerful sounds underwater. However, this exceptional sound capability of this tiny fish brings new light to the diversity and complexity of the animal kingdom.