Intensity discrimination of pulsed tones by the goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Abstract

Intensity discrimination thresholds for 500-ms pure-tone bursts were measured as a function of frequency in the goldfish (Carassius auratus) using classical respiratory conditioning. At 55-dB sensation level (SL), thresholds range from 1.44-2.2 dB between 100 and 1600 Hz. There is not important effect of frequency on intensity discrimination. Thresholds at 35-dB SL average 0.7 dB higher than at 55-dB SL. This is a small difference in the context of the threshold variability. In intensity discrimination acuity, the goldfish is quantitatively similar to other vertebrates, including birds and mammals.