THE VOICE OF A FISH

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 30, 1901

THE VOICE OF A FISH.

To most people the notion that fishes have voices would seem rather absurd. Yet there are many species which seem to talk, and even to sing. Some familiar ones, like the bluefish, croak when they are pulled out of the water. They do likewise in their native element, and often in concert, producing quite musical effect. A school of “grunters” will form an example. From a vessel anchored in Southern waters one frequently hears at night the slow “loom” and “boom” of the jewfish. Crews of ships have been startled on occasions by extraordinary noises like the beating of many drums in the distance. Likewise produced by fishes were sounds heard by Lieutenant White, United States Navy, in 1824, at the mouth of a river in Cambodia. They suggested a mixture of the bars of the organ, the ringing of bells, and the tones of an enormous harp. In Chilian waters musical cadences are sometimes heard rising from the sea and covering four notes, resembling the tones of harp-strings. The “maigres” are famous for their vocal powers, emitting loud whistlings and hummings. The way in which fishes make these noises is yet a mystery. Fishermen in Eastern Asia are said to hang little bells on the ends of their nets to attract fishes.—Christian Work.