Detecting fish that can sniff enemies from eggs

New research published by Australian scientists showed that rainbow-fish embryos, after just four days of conception, could sniff out the potential threat of carnivorous assassins.

This conclusion has been drawn by Australian scientists through the study of Rainbow caviar . After four days of laying eggs, they placed the embryo in a dish containing water and added compounds with different odors.

Rainbow fish embryos after only 4 days have sniffed the smell of enemies.(Photo: Phy.sorg)

Among them are the smells of goldfish and perch, which are predators of Rainbow fish. Observing the microscope shows that the heart rate of fish embryos changes compared to normal. Beats will increase with the smell of carnivorous fish being added to the disc of fish eggs.

This means that the fish's sensory system has been able to detect and react to chemical signals enough to allow it to distinguish between different odors after only 4 days of fertilization.

According to scientist Jennifer Kelley, animals that detect predator signals from a young age are an extremely important sign for their survival.

'Although it is possible to adjust the skills of detecting enemies in the later stages of development through experience, the research results show that the reaction of fish embryos is innate to many generations. , Kelley said.

The results of the study also open the way to understanding the self-defense reactions of fish species in Australia's freshwater ecosystem.