The hearing abilities of the silver carp (Hypopthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

Concern regarding the spread of silver carp (Hypopthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) through the Illinois River has prompted the development of a Bio-acoustic Fish Fence (BAFF) to act as an acoustic fish deterrent. The application of this technology has resulted in a need to understand the auditory physiology of the target species, in order to maximise the effect of the barrier in preventing the migration of the non-indigenous carp species into Lake Michigan, whilst minimising the effect on indigenous fish populations. Therefore, the hearing thresholds of 12 H. molitrix and 12 A. nobilis were defined using the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) technique, in a pressure-dominated sound field generated by submerged transducers of the type used in the construction of the BAFF system. The results clearly show that these fish are most sensitive to sounds in a frequency bandwidth of between 750 Hz and 1500 Hz, with higher thresholds below 300 Hz and above 2000 Hz.