Detection of stationary objects by the blind Cave FishAnoptichthys jordani (Characidae)

It was noticed that the blind Mexican Cave Fish repeatedly passes along objects new to it at a short distance. Observations and experiments are reported which support the hypothesis that water movements occurring between the stationary object and the fish as it passes by convey information about the location and possibly the shape of the object, which is detected by the lateral line organ of the fish. Water movements of the expected type were recorded with the help of a model fish equipped with a mechano-electric analogue of a free neuromast.