20/05/2025
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Researchers studying Danionella cerebrum, a translucent, fingernail-sized fish from Myanmar, have confirmed that it produces extremely loud sounds relative to its size.
The sound levels can reach up to 140 decibels, which is comparable to the noise level of a gunshot or jet engine at close range—and louder than an elephant's trumpet, which typically ranges from 85 to 117 decibels.
This powerful sound is believed to be used in social communication or territorial displays, particularly among males.
Scientists found that the fish uses specialized drumming muscles near its swim bladder to generate the noise, a mechanism unique among vertebrates of this size.
These findings were published in 2023 and gained widespread attention due to the sheer sound-to-size ratio of this species, making Danionella cerebrum one of the loudest animals on Earth in proportion to its body.
