Do Fish Fart? Controversy and Research

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether fish fart, exploring the implications of such behavior in terms of communication, social interactions, and environmental considerations. Participants reference various studies and anecdotal observations, contributing to a lively debate on the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that Canadian and UK researchers have found that herring produce underwater noises that may be interpreted as farting, suggesting a form of communication.
  • One participant describes an observation of herring releasing gas bubbles, leading to the conclusion that while it appeared to be farting, it was technically not.
  • There is a claim that true farting in fish is a by-product of digestion, with some experts suggesting that fish expel gases in a different manner, often consolidating them with feces.
  • Another participant humorously questions whether fish farting could be considered an environmental hazard or a defense mechanism.
  • One participant recalls reading about the phenomenon in a scientific context, mentioning a description of the sound as "Fast Repeated Ticks."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether fish actually fart, with multiple competing views and interpretations of the evidence presented. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the classification and implications of gas release in fish.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific definitions of flatulence and may involve unresolved assumptions about fish physiology and behavior. The discussion includes anecdotal references and interpretations that may not be universally accepted.

Ivan Seeking
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I ran across this question by chance and found that it seems to have created quite a bit of controversy. Here are a few links that pooped up.

While back in Australia I found an article in the paper without a author nor credit. It was big news back in November and this story spread like wildfire across the wires. I 've done some digging around and still don't know if this is all just hot air or fact. Do fish fart?

IN polite society, flatulence is considered a social faux pas. But a study has revealed that in the world of fish, farting is an important social tool.
Canadian and UK researchers have discovered that herring create underwater fart noises, suggesting they communicate by breaking wind.
http://www.riverandreef.com/artman/publish/article_20.shtml

...Over the course of two months, I observed herring behaviour in my seawater lab aquaria and experimentally narrowed down dosages to an optimum range. As the narcotic effect occurred, the herring relaxed, began to lose their upright orientation, and gas bubbles were released from what appeared to be the anus! I immediately thought: “I’m observing a phenomenon never previously reported in the ichthyological literature: herring farts!”

I then dissected some herring specimens and discovered that, in addition to the presence of a pneumatic duct, herring had a small posterior extension of the air bladder which opens alongside the anal opening. I searched the early herring literature and discovered that several members of the herring family, Clupeidae, also have such an opening. By location, the gas release I observed appeared to be farts but, technically, they were not. [continued]
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/001110.html


Believe it or not, whether fish suffer flatulence is an ongoing debate among ichthyologists.

True farting is a by-product of digestion, and some experts say that the digestive gases of fish are consolidated with their feces and expelled in gelatinous tubes (which fish then eat!). [continued]
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/scizone/question/default.asp?teaserIdEN=380

Farting fish fingered
...But, as Dr Batty explained, they analysed the bubbles released by herrings through the anus, using gas chromatography, and established that they were air gulped down by the herrings on the surface - there was no hint of flatulence. [continued]
http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/research/improbable/story/0,11109,1434885,00.html
 
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...But, as Dr Batty explained...
Dr. Batty? :smile:

An apt name for someone obsessed with analyzing fish farts.
 
I don't know which is worse, that people wonder if fish fart, or that I'm reading about it. :redface:
 
By location, the gas release I observed appeared to be farts but, technically, they were not...
I've never been able to make that "technically, it was not a fart" excuse work. It's easier to blame it on the nearest dog.
 
Canadian and UK researchers have discovered that herring create underwater fart noises, suggesting they communicate by breaking wind.

I sent this to a customer and suggested that we could communicate in code this way.
 
:smile: :smile: :smile:

instead of morse code, it could be fish fart code
 
Evo said:
I don't know which is worse, that people wonder if fish fart, or that I'm reading about it. :redface:

I don't know, but as soon as I saw the thread title, I couldn't resist reading it. :smile:

MIH, the dog excuse only works on land, but now, when out swimming, the bubbles can be blamed on the nearest fish! :smile:
 
Is fish farting an environmental hazard?
Can they use farts as a defense mechanism as well?
What are social faux pas among fishes if farting is not?

Will fish in a closed container eventually choke on their own farts?
Is that why we must change the water in the gold fish bowl regularly?

Ponder, ponder..
 
I think I remember reading one of the original reports about this phenomenon, perhaps in Science magazine. The authors described the sound as a sort of ticking, and dubbed it something like "Fast Repeated Ticks". :smile:
 
  • #10
Moonbear said:
MIH, the dog excuse only works on land, but now, when out swimming, the bubbles can be blamed on the nearest fish! :smile:
This is turning into a Danger cartoon. A guy is out in the ocean floating about in an innertube and we see bubbles coming up from his swim trunks. Two fish see this and one says to the other "what the heck is he saying?" :biggrin:
 

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