Do Aquarium Fish Enjoy Music?

Quite a few aquarium species can feel and interpret acoustic vibrations. Fish keepers know that tapping on the glass of their tanks can stress fish and some invertebrates because the vibration caused will feel like a scary sonic boom. The ability of aquatic species to hear sounds is why aquarium shops offer quiet aeration pumps and soundproofing materials to minimize the vibrating racket they often make. Members of your household won’t be pleased with a noisy pump, and the same goes for the fish in your tank. If anything, scientific research has determined that fish would prefer to detect and interpret more harmonious sounds. If you’re wondering whether or not the fish in your aquarium might enjoy music, the expert staff at Aquatic Warehouse has some information to share.

Sound and Vibration in Water

When we dip our heads underwater, we can still hear sounds. They’ll sound muffled because our hearing sense isn’t adapted to aquatic habitats, but this isn’t the case with fish. The auditory sensitivity of fish has been documented in various species, including those that are popular among aquarists. Researchers from Keio University in Japan have studied the effects of playing music for fish kept in indoor glass tanks and outdoor koi ponds, and one of the conclusions was that fish can not only hear music but also react to harmonious sounds.

The Zebra Danio Acoustic Behavioral Study

Brazilian researchers from the University of Passo Fundo conducted a study focusing on how zebra danios react to certain sounds. The 2018 research was conducted among fish kept in tanks as well as in aquaculture farm. As can be expected, the fish in tanks were observed to be more reactive to sound, and this has to do with the acoustics created by the water contained within glass walls. Even moderate sound levels of 112 decibels affected the behaviors of the zebras. This was observed in their swimming patterns. When the fish were exposed to noisy environments such as loud pumps, they sought spots in their tanks where they could avoid it. Sorry rap fans, but the low bass frequencies are probably not a soothing sound to your pets!

The Goldfish Classical Music Study

Japanese researchers chose goldfish and classical music for this study because of the lore among pond keepers who insist on playing Bach, Stravinsky, and shakuhachi pieces for their fish. Shakuhachi is a bamboo flute that is traditionally played at Zen Buddhist temples during meditation. The study published by the Keio University researchers suggests that trained goldfish were able to recognize the two composers. This was determined by dangling treats from filaments while the music played. It’s not clear whether the goldfish in this research actually enjoyed music in a manner similar to humans.

Music to Play for Your Aquarium

As long as the music you play near your tank isn’t loud and grating to the point of creating a sonic boom, the musical genre won’t matter to your fish. However, if you play certain pieces during feeding time or when you introduce tastier treats such as brine or small insects, your aquarium fish may react in an adequate behavioral manner.

Aside from playing music, the best way to keep your fish happy and healthy is by properly maintaining the tank with all the necessary supplies. Whether you need a dosing pump, beneficial bacteria, filtration, or any other supply, Aquatic Warehouse has you covered. Take a look at the selection on our website, or give us a call at 858-467-9297 if you have any questions.