|
|
|
Carp and Koi have some improvements to their hearing system that improve the range of sounds they can hear. Most fish cannot hear frequencies above 1,000 hertz, but Koi can hear 3 times higher, up to 3,000 hertz. The reason for this is Koi have a type of amplifying system called the Weberian Apparatus that other fish do not have. It consists of 4 pairs of bones called ossicles, which form a linkage connecting the inner ear to the swim bladder. This connection of the swim bladder's air chamber to the inner ear greatly improves the Koi's ability to hear. The Otolith is the Koi's "ear bone". Otoliths are part of Koi's inner ear or vestibular apparatus, and reside in the cranial cavity. They are composed of calcium carbonate and protein. They function as sound receptors and are also used for balance and orientation.
There are 3 pairs of otoliths or ear stones in the inner ear of a Koi. The largest pair of Otoliths, the sagittae, are routinely used for aging. So Otolith is synonymous with sagitta. Humans have otoliths too, but our hearing system is much more advanced than Koi. |
|
e-mail: ColoradoKoi@ymail.com Postal Address: 3551 S. Monaco Parkway, Suite #138, Denver, Colorado 80237 Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,2010 Colorado Koi, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |