When Does Fish Get Sea Sick?

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oi-Staff

By Staff

Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 5:23

A new page has been unfolded in the study of Oceanology. Have you ever asked your self if the fishes in the sea get 'sea sick'? Well, the German scientists gets you the answer. Researcher Dr. Reinhold Hilbig, who hails from Germany, has claimed to have solved the mystery that intrigued the science world for decades: Whether or not fish get seasick? And the answer he gives is 'yes'.

The researcher, who hails from Stutgart, has studied the effects of weightlessness in water as part of research into how humans are affected in space. To reach the conclusion, forty-nine fish in a mini aquarium were sent up in a plane that went into a steep dive, simulating the loss of gravity astronauts encounter in space flight. It was then when eight of the fish showed disturbing features.

It started moving in circles. "They completely lost their sense of balance, behaving like humans who get seasick," The Telegraph quoted Hilbig, as saying. "The fish lost their orientation, they became completely confused and looked as if they were about to vomit. In the wild such a 'seasick' fish would become prey for others because they are incapable of fleeing from danger," the expert added.

Later, the eight seasick fish were culled and their brains were analysed to try to determine the exact cause of their sickness.

"It would seem the loss of eye contact with water movement and vibrations plays a large part in their disorientation," Hilbig said.

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