This unique creature, of sometimes gargantuan proportions, is found in large rivers and estuaries in Indochina and Borneo. It can reach over 6 feet across and weigh more than 1300 pounds! They are a bottom dwelling species that prefers a sandy or muddy habitat. Its diet consists of small fish and invertebrates such as earthworms and crustaceans that it is able to detect using its electroreceptive ampullae of Lorenzini.
Undersea Conversations…
While it isn’t obvious, fish have ears, and are able to communicate to one another through sounds. They don’t have vocal chords, but instead vibrate their swim bladders, producing popping, grunting, moaning, barking, or chirping noises. While some species of fish, like the goldfish, are silent listeners, there are over 1000 species that are known to vocalize, and some, like the gurnard who are veritable chatterboxes. While we can’t have a conversation with them - at least not yet - it is theorized that they do it to attract mates, frighten away predators or competitors, to synchronize mating, call for help and warn others, or to orient themselves.
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
