"Wolfgang" wrote in message
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"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
"Wolfgang" wrote in news:5s5npoF16gia9U1
@mid.individual.net:

the kinesthetic sense is also crucially important.

You've been reading too much Mittelsteadt (sp?).

Never heard of her/him.

By the way, I don't know what the "otolith organs" in fish are, but I'll
assume they are analogous to the vestibular maculae (the utricle and the
saccule) in humans. If so, their function is the perception of linear
acceleration and thus buoyancy and gravity, in and of themselves, would
have nothing whatsoever to do with a fish getting confused by being upside
down......
Wolfgang

Otoliths are better known as earstones. They are calcium carbonate
structures which are located behind the brain of bony fish. They are used
to aid fish in balance and hearing in the same way the inner ear provides
balance in humans.
The three otoliths a
Sagitta - which is the largest of the 3-pairs and are used for the
detection of sound and converting sound waves into electrical signals.
Asteriscus - which is the detection of sound and the process of hearing.
Lapillus - which detects the gravitational forces and sound.

Catfish have no problem swimming upside down or loss of equilibrium.
Studies have found it is the swim bladder that maintains the upside-down
swimming position, and postural control in catfish.
-tom