In a recently published study, scientists explain how coral reef fish larvae are able to navigate back home at night—with the help of magnetic forces.
Small fish that hatch on coral reefs are typically pushed far away by water currents; however, as many as 60 percent of survivors are able to find their way back home.
These fish are thought to use the sun's position to help direct them during the day, but it was unknown how they knew where to swim at night.
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Golden butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus) swimming over coral reef with a large school of pygmy sweepers (Parapriacanthus guentheri) and soft corals (Dendronephthya sp.). Egypt, Red Sea.
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A pair of golden butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus), a pair of threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga) and goldies or lyretail anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis). Egypt, Red Sea.
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To test their response to magnetic forces, researchers from Australia and Germany collected baby Cardinal fish from the Great Barrier Reef and exposed them to a magnetic field similar to the one around the large structure.
As one of the scientists, Mike Kingsford, is quoted as saying in a news release, "Normally, fish orientated to the south east, but when we altered the magnetic field clockwise by 120 degrees, there was a significant change in the direction the fish swam. They all turned further west, thinking they were still on track to their destination."
As such, he concluded by stating, "Our results show that larvae can use their magnetic senses to point them in the right direction when it's night time."
The team believes this capability may apply to other marine animals which could help scientists better map—and protect—-their populations.
Related: Coral bleaching
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Coral Bleaching
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Coral Bleaching
Corals are seen at the Great Barrier Reef in this January 2002 handout photo. Rising carbon dioxide levels in the world's oceans due to climate change, combined with rising sea temperatures, could accelerate coral bleaching, destroying some reefs before 2050, says a new Australian study. Picture taken January 2002. REUTERS/Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland/Ove Hoegh-Guldberg/Handout (AUSTRALIA). FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Corals are seen at the Great Barrier Reef in this January 2002 handout photo. Rising carbon dioxide levels in the world's oceans due to climate change, combined with rising sea temperatures, could accelerate coral bleaching, destroying some reefs before 2050, says a new Australian study. Picture taken January 2002. REUTERS/Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland/Ove Hoegh-Guldberg/Handout (AUSTRALIA). FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
An undated photo shows the effect of "bleaching" on coral off Caye Caulker, Belize. Much of the 200 miles (320 km) of Belize's coral reef has been "bleached" in the last decade and some scientists warn it is likely to die, a victim of global warming. To match feature ENVIRONMENT CORAL BELIZE REUTERS/Susannah Sayler (BELIZE)
Marine activist Suzanne Kavanagh swims above coral suffering from bleaching on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The world's largest coral structure is experiencing its worst ever case of bleaching, which scientists fear could threaten its fragile marine environment. Picture taken 25APR98. REUTERS/Handout
(GERMANY OUT) Bleached Corals, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia (Photo by Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
(GERMANY OUT) Bleached Mushroom coral, Ctenactis echinata, Komodo National Park, Indian Ocean, Indonesia (Photo by Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
(AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND OUT) Aerial view of the Agincourt number three reef from the Quicksilver Eight pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. A team of researchers have placed a shade cloth measuring five metres by five metres on the surface of the water to protect the coral below from the sun, which is believed to be causing bleaching on the reef, 10 February 2005. THE AGE Picture by SIMON O'DWYER (Photo by Fairfax Media/Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
This photo, taken in Thailand in the summer of 2010, is one of many parts of the world where scientists found coral bleaching in 2010, the warmest year on record. Bleaching weakens corals and in some cases kills them. (Mark Eakin/NOAA/MCT via Getty Images)
(GERMANY OUT) Bleached Corals, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia (Photo by Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
