How do fish detect currents made by other fish?
Fish detect currents and pressure changes caused by other fish—as well as predators, prey, and stationary objects—primarily through the lateral line system.12
This system consists of a network of mechanoreceptors known as neuromasts, which are arranged along the head and body of the fish. These organs are often embedded in mucus-filled canals located just beneath the skin. Each neuromast contains sensory hair cells topped with cilia that are encapsulated in a jellylike sheath called the cupula.1
When water movement or pressure changes from a nearby fish stimulate these cilia, the system allows the fish to determine the direction and rate of the water displacement. By sensing these environmental fluctuations, fish can effectively orient themselves and perceive the movements of other organisms in their immediate vicinity.12