Fish are having noisy sex and… keeping Florida residents awake

Residents of Tampa Bay, Florida have been losing sleep, complaining of mysterious bass sounds that vibrate the walls of their homes during the night and keep their children awake.

According to a report in the New York Post, these mysterious noises have spawned wild theories about their origin.

From covert night operations at a nearby military base to a law-breaking nightclub, residents have thought hard about what could be causing this noise.

Many even believed the theory that extraterrestrials had descended on earth.

However, a local scientist believes that some “lively” fish are making this confusing noise.

The scientific explanation

In the relevant publication it is stated that the scientist clarified: “This unpleasant sound is mating noises, emitted by the aptly named black drum fish”.

In an effort to confirm his theory, fish acoustics expert James Locascio, who works at the Sarasota Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, installed marine microphones in the area.

Mr. Locascio was confident in his claims, having conducted a convincing investigation nearly two decades ago in Cape Coral.

Speaking to the New York Post, Mr. Locascio said:

“A retired science teacher let me use her back porch for three months. It was very productive for my research. I called her this week and we spoke for the first time in 18 years. I told her I would do the same thing again.”

The fish acoustics expert added that this noise emitted by black drum fish during the winter mating season can reach up to 165 decibels of water.

When they emit the noise all together as a group, the sounds travel through the soil and become audible on land.

Sound waves produced by mating black drum fish by Dr. James Locascio

Mr Locascio added: “It became something of an urban mystery. There are many different theories. People want to know what it is. It’s that element of the unknown. And when you have social media, you really start to hear different ideas.”

Some initially scoffed at the fish theory, unable to fathom that amphibians in love are responsible for the faint hip-hop beats echoing in their bedrooms.

But Locascio said they were finally convinced after hearing his explanations.

“The vibrations keep getting more and more annoying, so now is the time to act!” writes Tampa resident Sara Healy’s GoFundMe campaign, which has raised $2,620 to fund Locascio’s tests.

The campaign reads: “Can you help us solve this mystery and reassure our community?”

Locascio told The Post that collecting data could be a challenge in the large area of ​​the sea, but that he hopes he will soon be able to show residents that his theory has a basis.