Tank acoustics, and sound source localization by plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus)

A series of experiments was undertaken to investigate methods of sound source localization by fish. In these experiments, positive phonotaxic responses of gravid female plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) to low-frequency, playback tones (80–90 Hz) were studied as they approached sound sources. The sound fields for simple (monopole) and relatively complex (dipole) sources within the behavioral arena were measured and characterized in terms of pressure and particle motion. Results indicate that female midshipman fish are able to locate sound sources in the near field using acoustic cues alone, and that they used the particle motion vectors to locate the source in both the monopole and dipole sound fields. The tank acoustics were modeled and compared to the measured pressure and particle motion sound fields. [This work was supported by the National Science Foundation.]