hearing

Weberian apparatus

This series of small bones links the swim bladder to the inner ear in Ostariophysian fish, including minnows, carp, catfishes, and characins.  When a sound wave hits the swim bladder, the vibration is transferred through the Weberian apparatus to the auditory region of the inner ear.  This action helps amplify sound and, as a result, … [Read more…]

Swim bladder

The swim bladder is an air filled organ used by some fish to maintain buoyancy at a desired depth and produce or hear sound. Physostomous swim bladders are directly connected to the gastrointestinal tract so that fish with these swim bladders, such as herrings, must “gulp” air to inflate their swim bladder and “burb” or … [Read more…]