When you think of ocean life, your mind might conjure images of colorful coral reefs, gliding schools of fish, or the haunting calls of whales.
But here’s a fascinating insight you might not expect: the ocean is far from silent.
Beneath the waves, there’s a hidden symphony of hoots, moans, pops, and chirps — a soundscape created by fish.
Yes, fish.
Your goldfish may be the quietest pet in your house, but in the wild, fish are surprisingly vocal. ‘
Scientists have discovered that certain species not only make sounds but actually sing in chorus, much like birds at dawn and dusk.
This revelation has reshaped our understanding of marine life, challenging the persistent myth that fish are mute.
Take the black jewfish (Protonibea diacanthus), for example.
Its distinctive call resembles a foghorn echoing through the ocean.
Or the terapontid fish, which grunts in a way that researchers liken to the “buzzer in the Operation board game.”
Then there’s the batfish, whose softer “ba-ba-ba” sounds form part of this underwater symphony.
These sounds aren’t just random noise.
Over an 18-month study conducted off the coast of Port Hedland in Western Australia, researchers identified seven distinct fish choruses that occur regularly at dawn and dusk.
These vocalizations, recorded using underwater noise loggers, offer a glimpse into a vibrant and complex undersea acoustic environment that we are only beginning to understand.
Challenging the Silence Myth
For decades, the idea that fish are silent creatures went unchallenged.
After all, their behavior beneath the waves seemed so different from the noisy chatter of birds or mammals.
But the reality is far more intriguing.
As marine biologist Robert McCauley from Curtin University in Western Australia explains: “I’ve been listening to fish squawks, burbles, and pops for nearly 30 years now, and they still amaze me with their variety.
We are only just beginning to appreciate the complexity involved.”
So far, over 800 fish species have been confirmed to produce sounds, often for the same reasons land animals do.
Fish vocalize to attract mates, mark territory, and signal danger. Some even engage in vocal “shouting matches” in noisy underwater environments.
Clownfish, for instance, create popping and chirping sounds by grinding their teeth.
Oyster toadfish emit deep hums using muscles attached to their swim bladders, sounding like underwater foghorns.
Croaking gouramis snap the tendons of their pectoral fins to produce their signature noise.
It turns out that vocalization is as essential for fish as it is for birds or mammals.
Shouting, even underwater, is an effective way to communicate across distances, especially in environments where visibility is limited.
Fish Singing in Harmony
The idea of fish forming a dawn and dusk chorus might sound whimsical, but it’s very real.
McCauley’s research team discovered that certain fish species synchronize their calls, creating a symphony that rises and falls with the Sun.
Using two underwater noise loggers placed 21.5 kilometers apart, the team recorded fish vocalizations at depths of 8 and 18 meters.
Over 18 months, they identified seven distinct types of choruses that occurred primarily between late spring and early autumn.
On some days, multiple choruses overlapped at the same site, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
These choruses aren’t random.
The researchers observed that many fish align their vocal behavior with solar and lunar cycles, much like how birds’ songs are influenced by daylight.
“When fish call en masse, producing a high-level chorus over several hours, they create a continuous symphony,” McCauley’s team noted.
This discovery not only reveals a new dimension of marine behavior but also underscores how much we still have to learn about underwater ecosystems.
Are Human Activities Drowning Out the Symphony?
But here’s the twist: while fish continue their choruses, the ocean is becoming an increasingly noisy place.
Human activities, from shipping to underwater construction, create acoustic pollution that can interfere with marine life’s natural soundscapes.
Previous studies have shown that whales and dolphins, which rely heavily on sound for communication and navigation, are already being affected by underwater noise pollution. But what about fish?
McCauley’s study found no immediate evidence that fish off Port Hedland were significantly disturbed by anthropogenic noise.
“All seven choruses continued for many days despite significant anthropogenic noise within a similar frequency band,” the researchers noted.
This suggests that, at least in the short term, the fish in this region have adapted to their noisy environment.
However, the long-term effects remain uncertain. In other parts of the world, acoustic pollution could have more serious consequences.
Just as urban birds have been forced to sing louder to be heard over city noise, fish might be adapting their vocalizations to compete with underwater clamor.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding fish vocalizations isn’t just an academic curiosity — it has real-world implications for conservation and marine science.
By studying these sounds, researchers can gain insights into fish behavior, population dynamics, and the health of underwater ecosystems.
For instance, monitoring fish choruses could help identify breeding grounds and migration patterns, which are critical for protecting vulnerable species.
It could also provide clues about how marine life is adapting to the challenges of climate change and human activity.
Moreover, the study of underwater soundscapes highlights the interconnectedness of life on Earth.
Just as birdsong enriches terrestrial ecosystems, fish choruses are an integral part of the ocean’s rhythm.
Preserving these natural soundscapes is essential for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.
The Symphony Continues
The discovery of fish choruses is a reminder of how much we have yet to uncover about the natural world.
It challenges long-held assumptions, expands our understanding of marine life, and opens the door to new questions about how animals communicate and adapt to their environments.
As McCauley puts it: “We still have only a crude idea of what’s going on in the undersea acoustic environment.”
And that’s what makes science so exciting.
With every new discovery, we’re reminded that the world — above and below the waves — is more complex, dynamic, and fascinating than we could ever imagine.
The next time you think of the ocean as a silent, serene place, remember the hidden symphony beneath the surface. Fish are singing, and their voices have a story to tell.
