Sound production in Sciaenops ocellatus: Preliminary study for the development of acoustic cues in aquaculture

Abstract

The red drum Sciaenops ocellatus is an estuarine-dependent sciaenid that has supported important recreational and commercial fisheries for many years. Since the 1980s, this species has been farmed in different regions of the world and studies have been conducted to find natural ways to improve its culture. Sciaenops ocellatus is well known for making calls but studies on this characteristic have been mainly restricted to passive acoustics. The aim of this study was to provide acoustic-related information that could be useful in rearing practices. We have studied in detail fish calling characteristics, described their sound-producing mechanism and tested the recordings in different kinds of confinements (floating cages, concrete and fibreglass tanks). Contrary to previous studies, calls were recorded mainly in the morning, between 06:00 and 09:00. Sounds are made only by males; females do not have sound-producing apparatus. The anatomy, muscle ultrastructure data and calling characteristics show conclusively that calls result from the contraction of high speed muscles which are characterized by the very small diameter (7 μm) of the muscle cells. Preliminary results suggest that sound characteristics can give information on the fish physiology but further studies are needed. The effects of resonance of fibreglass tanks are experimentally highlighted, showing unequivocally that all the characteristics of fish calls are completely distorted, even in big tanks (13 m3). These findings should be taken into account when using pre-recorded sounds in the rearing of this species because it can affect communication during courtship activity.