Proc Biol Sci February 2004 PMID 15101430

Pacific and Atlantic herring produce burst pulse sounds.

Ben Wilson, Robert S Batty, Lawrence M Dill

Mentions

46
Peak: 19 in Apr 2022
across 7 sources since Oct 2020

Extended reach

38,768
potential audience

Total likes

114

Video views

588

Mentions per month

Oct 2020 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter24 posts
  • News10 articles
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions demonstrate high interest with posts highlighting the surprising nature of herring sounds and their possible functions, such as 'fish farting' and 'communication through expelled air'. Tone ranges from humorous to curious, with some posts sharing detailed facts like burst pulse durations and associations with bubble expulsion, contributing to an overall mild but engaged exploration of the research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the scientific findings and acknowledge the novelty of herring sounds, though some add humor or skepticism.

InterestHigh interest

Several posts indicate curiosity, especially with phrases like 'fun fact' and 'TIL', showing high engagement with the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments involve sharing additional facts, links, and personal reactions, reflecting a moderate level of thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While some regard this as a fun or interesting discovery, few suggest it has broad scientific or ecological implications, resulting in a moderate impact score.

Abstract in brief

  • Pacific and Atlantic herring produce burst pulse sounds called Fast Repetitive Tick (FRT) sounds, which are broadband pulses lasting between 0.6 to 7.6 seconds.
  • These sounds are produced mainly at night and are not influenced by feeding regime or air access, suggesting internal processes like digestive gases or swim bladder activity might be involved.
  • The purpose of these sounds is unknown, but higher fish densities increase sound production, indicating a possible social function and implications for understanding herring behavior and noise pollution effects.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
FishSounds
@fishsoundsweb · X

Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish farting! Read more about them at https://t.co/rwORu7cMqj and https://t.co/ozeoA30iBT! @bwilson999 #fish https://t.co/ScTsHZyeby

Apr 18, 2022 · 97 likes · 20 shares · 1,125 followers View post →
Abie
@temptoetiam · X

TIL Les harengs pètent à basse fréquence (1.7–22 kHz) "Pacific herring produce distinctive bursts of pulses, termed Fast Repetitive Tick (FRT) sounds." "video showed an association with bubble expulsion from the anal duct region (gut or swim bladder)" https://t.co/7WnZ88umeg

Oct 4, 2020 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 3,944 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

@evornithology No idea if they pass the sniff test, but herring farts are real and functional. https://t.co/G6zPKQ3JNF

Oct 25, 2022 · 2 likes · 7,656 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 7,656 followers View post →
Shipwreck
@markthesnark2 · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 3,709 followers View post →
Kieran Cox, Ph.D
@KieranCx · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 2,781 followers View post →

All mentions

Dwight Wedding ADHDactivist
@dwightwedding.bsky.social · Bluesky

FaRT Pacific and Atlantic herring produce burst pulse sounds - PMC share.google/ByIaFurj2nqK...

Sep 29, 2025 View post →
onder okan
@onderokan1 · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Sep 10, 2023 · 20 shares · 393 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

@evornithology No idea if they pass the sniff test, but herring farts are real and functional. https://t.co/G6zPKQ3JNF

Oct 25, 2022 · 2 likes · 7,656 followers View post →
Thiago Bicudo
@Bicudose · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 20, 2022 · 20 shares · 214 followers View post →
Honor Maughan
@MaughanHonor · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 19, 2022 · 20 shares · 163 followers View post →
UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station
@NCBS_UF_IFAS · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 19, 2022 · 20 shares · 905 followers View post →
GLUBS
@GLUBS1 · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 19, 2022 · 20 shares · 242 followers View post →
Maxwell Shafer
@maxwellshafer · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 19, 2022 · 20 shares · 803 followers View post →
Earthtunes
@earthtunes_app · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 19, 2022 · 20 shares · 42 followers View post →
Tohru Mukai, (向井 徹)
@TM_MUKAI · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 34 followers View post →
panda
@giantbluepanda_ · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 87 followers View post →
Richard_Carr
@EmuLarge · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 1,855 followers View post →
Russell Wyeth
@DrRCWyeth · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 524 followers View post →
Tyler Ellis
@FishGuyTy · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 75 followers View post →
Emma Gagne
@emmakgagne · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 79 followers View post →
Saeed Shafiei Sabet @SaeedSHS@ecoevo.social
@SaeedSHSABET · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 1,137 followers View post →
Shipwreck
@markthesnark2 · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 3,709 followers View post →
Ictiolica
@Piscisuela · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 132 followers View post →
Dr. Merilee D. Karr, MD, MFA #BLM
@merileedkarr · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 2,356 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 7,656 followers View post →
Kieran Cox, Ph.D
@KieranCx · X

RT @fishsoundsweb: Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish fartin…

Apr 18, 2022 · 20 shares · 2,781 followers View post →
FishSounds
@fishsoundsweb · X

Fun fact: herrings can communicate through air expelled out of their backside—yes, aka communication through fish farting! Read more about them at https://t.co/rwORu7cMqj and https://t.co/ozeoA30iBT! @bwilson999 #fish https://t.co/ScTsHZyeby

Apr 18, 2022 · 97 likes · 20 shares · 1,125 followers View post →
Le_Woodman
@Le_Woodman · X

RT @temptoetiam: TIL Les harengs pètent à basse fréquence (1.7–22 kHz) "Pacific herring produce distinctive bursts of pulses, termed Fast…

Oct 5, 2020 · 3 shares · 470 followers View post →
Shiny Bâjé
@XetraSherpa · X

RT @temptoetiam: TIL Les harengs pètent à basse fréquence (1.7–22 kHz) "Pacific herring produce distinctive bursts of pulses, termed Fast…

Oct 4, 2020 · 3 shares · 981 followers View post →
Abie
@temptoetiam · X

TIL Les harengs pètent à basse fréquence (1.7–22 kHz) "Pacific herring produce distinctive bursts of pulses, termed Fast Repetitive Tick (FRT) sounds." "video showed an association with bubble expulsion from the anal duct region (gut or swim bladder)" https://t.co/7WnZ88umeg

Oct 4, 2020 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 3,944 followers View post →