Microvolt Electric Signals from Fishes and the Environment

Abstract

Pulses in the 0.01 to 40 microvolt range, probably generated by white fiber muscle action potentials, were remotely received through dipole antennae from five fishes and one amphibian in aquarium tests. In natural environments, however, no biologically generated signals have been detected. Received instead were a multitude of similar signals originating from unknown sources. The dominant types of these "atmospheric" signals and their reception rates change diurnally and can easily be confused with the fish-generated signals.