Fish love listening to music!

Those of you who grew up with mum or dad in the garden may have sometimes heard them talk or even sing to their plants. They may have told you that it helps the plants grow and that we should try it. Were they just pulling your leg?

Well, in this research paper, scientists have shown that playing some tunes for the fish actually will improve growth rate and welfare. Check it out!

Aquacultural Engineering
Volume 55, Number 3 (July 2013)
Effect of musical stimuli and white noise on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth and physiology in recirculating water conditions
Authors: Sofronios E. Papoutsoglou 1, Nafsika Karakatsouli 1, Christos Skouradakis 1, Eustratios S. Papoutsoglou 1, Alkistis Batzina 1, Georgios Leondaritis 2, Nikolaos Sakellaridis 2
Author Affiliations:
1: Department of Applied Hydrobiology, Faculty of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece
2: Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Papakiriazi 22, 41222 Larissa, Greece
Source: Aquacultural Engineering, Volume 55, Number 3 (July 2013)
Page Numbers: 16 – 22
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Abstract: Music resulted in significantly higher growth compared to white noise treatment or control in rainbow trout. Music through its implication in fish brain response (e.g. neurotransmitters) resulted to a rather relaxed performance/condition. Brain response includes significant differences mainly among music treatments and white noise populations regarding levels of digestive enzymes. The musical stimuli per se is beneficial for growth and welfare.
Citation: Sofronios E. Papoutsoglou, Nafsika Karakatsouli, Christos Skouradakis, Eustratios S. Papoutsoglou, Alkistis Batzina, Georgios Leondaritis, Nikolaos Sakellaridis . Effect of musical stimuli and white noise on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth and physiology in recirculating water conditions. Aquacultural Engineering, Volume 55, Number 3 (July 2013), pp. 16-22, <http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=46BE80BFC334BC1F8CF8&gt;
URL: http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=46BE80BFC334BC1F8CF8

Now you can turn around and tell your gardener parents that fish also love listening to music and that they too should try and sing to them! So, what tunes will you be playing for your fish?

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