Researchers in Washington are studying a fish that nests under rocks and sings at night to attract its mates. They say the ears of these singing fish could teach us how to improve our own hearing.
You know that expression, “Leave no stone unturned?”
That’s how Washington State University neuroscientist Allison Coffin goes about catching midshipman fish—at least during mating season.
Standing on the rocky, oyster-covered shoreline of Hood Canal, she rolled over a beach-ball sized rock to reveal a small pool of water just barely covering two fish.
“Oh yeah! Another female,” she said. “And then there’s the male right there.”
Because it’s low tide, some of the fish she and her research partner Joe Sisneros uncovered aren’t in any water at all.
That makes this area prime fishing grounds for the researchers, who say the ears of these fish could teach us how to improve our own hearing.