Which highly developed sensory structures equipped with taste buds do white catfish use to locate food on the substrate?
Answer
Barbels
The primary sensory apparatus white catfish employ for locating food on the bottom consists of their barbels. These structures are notably equipped with numerous taste buds, functioning essentially as highly sensitive external chemical detectors. By dragging or moving these barbels across the mud, sand, or gravel, the catfish can detect and identify potential food items lying on or slightly hidden within the substrate, even in murky conditions where sight is limited. This adaptation is crucial for a bottom-feeding species that relies on chemical and tactile cues over visual hunting.
Related Questions
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