Fish's 'Sixth Sense' Detects Flow Signals in Water

It turns out that fish have a "sixth sense." Scientists have found that fish have the ability to detect flows of water, which allows them to respond better to their environment.

"We identified a unique layout of flow sensors on the surface of fish that is nearly universal across species, and our research asks why this is so," said Leif Ristroph, one of the researchers, in a news release. "The network of these sensors is like a 'hydrodynamic antenna' that allows them to retrieve signals about the flow of water and use this information in different behaviors."

Scientists have long known that fish can respond to changes in their fluid environment, such as avoiding obstacles, reducing swimming effort by slaloming between vortices, and tracking changes in water flow left by prey, even without the aid of vision.

In order to find out how fish manage this feat, the researchers examined the "lateral line" in fish. This system of sensory organs is known to detect both movement and vibration in the water that surrounds them. The scientists specifically focused on the placement of these canals through the fish's body. Then, they conducted a series of experiments.

In the tests, model fish were put through a series of experiments that replicated real-life aquatic conditions. In the end, the researchers found that the canal system is concentrated at locations on the body wherever strong variations in pressure occur. The researchers also used finely detailed models to record this data for the very first time.

The findings are published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

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