Teleosts can detect chemicals in their environment by three different chemosensory systems: smell, taste and the common chemical system. In spite of the engraved myth that smell and taste can not be distinguished in water, the fishes have three types of chemosensory organs; 1) an olfactory system consisting of paired olfactory epithelia localized on each side of the fish snout, 2) a well developed gustatory apparatus with taste buds in the mouth and lips, and in some fishes taste buds might even be found on the whole body surface; 3) and finally a rich system consisting of solitary oligovillous sensory cells spread over most of the body. In the presentation, aspect of anatomy and physiology these systems will be discussed, and examples of chemicals that induce specific behaviours will be given. Further information about the different chemosensory systems and their physiological role in the life of fishes can be found in recent reviews.

Supported by the Norwegian Research Council.

REFERENCES

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Døving KB et al. 2005. In Fish Chemosenses, ed. Reuter K & Kapoor BG, pp. 133-163. Science Publishers Inc., Enfield, NH, USA.

Hamdani EH & Døving KB. 2005. In Fish Communication, ed. Ladich F, Collin SP, Moller P & Kapoor BG, pp. 223-257. Science Publishers Inc., Enfield, NH, USA.

Kasumyan A & Døving KB. 2003. Fish and Fisheries 4,1-59.