News Climate

Reef fish act drunk in carbon dioxide–rich ocean waters

In first test in the wild, fish lose fear of predators’ scent

SMELL NO EVIL  Young damselfishes (shown) living in carbon dioxide-rich waters have trouble detecting predator odors, compared to fish in areas with less CO2 dissolved in the water.  

Danielle Dixson

By Meghan Rosen

- More than 2 years ago

Carbon dioxide can really mess with fishes’ heads. Dissolved in ocean water, the acidic chemical turns timid young reef fish into tipsy little daredevils, researchers report April 13 in Nature Climate Change.