"Tiny Fish Shocks Scientists with Deafening Sound Comparable to Gunshot"

Scientists have discovered that the male Danionella cerebrum, one of the world’s smallest fish, can produce sounds as loud as a gunshot, exceeding 140 decibels, using a unique sound production system involving a drumming cartilage, specialised rib, and fatigue-resistant muscle. This mechanism, driven by a special muscle moving a rib into a piece of cartilage next to the swim bladder, allows the fish to generate rapid, loud pulses. The reason for the loud sounds is not yet established, but it is suggested that it could help the fish navigate murky waters or serve as an aggressive tactic used by males to warn off competition.