Pure-Tone Auditory Thresholds for the Carp, Cyprinis carpio

Auditory capabilities of the Japanese carp, Cyprinis carpio, were determined using an avoidance conditioning procedure. Cyprinis could hear sounds from 50 to 3000 Hz with maximum sensitivity from 300 to 1000 Hz where the thresholds were below −34 dB (re 1 μbar). The thresholds for this species from 50 to 1500 Hz are very similar to thresholds determined for a number of other species in the same superorder of the teleosts (Ostariophysi). It is suggested that the similar hearing capabilities in these animals may be typical of all of the species of fish in this group.