Category: Fish
The blue-spotted stingray is generally found in Indonesia to Japan, and south to Northern Australia. They are popular aquarium fish that grow to a size of about 17 inches in diameter. They are unique in that they don’t usually bury themselves in the sand to hide from predators. While most animals avoid them due to their poisonous barbs, orcas and hammerhead sharks are two known predators of blue-spotted stingrays.
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
