More practically, these ear bones — called otoliths — can help detect seafood fraud, manage fish stocks and give an insight into environmental conditions from the years past or even the present.

Otoliths (Latin for "ear rocks"), have annual growth rings like trees and also absorb a variety of trace chemicals that can track the fish's movements over its lifetime.

Ear rocks, also known as "otoliths," are tiny pebbles of calcium carbonate in our inner ear that help keep us balanced. They're located deep inside the inner ear in a small pouch called a utricle.

Where do young fish hang out? Consult their ear stones. Also known as otoliths, ear stones help fish orient themselves. As a fish grows, it takes minerals from its environment and incorporates ...

The sockeye and Chinook salmon that hatch, grow, and return to spawn on southwest Alaska’s Nushagak River are part of the world’s largest salmon fishery, Bristol Bay. The bay is home to a $1.5 ...

Four researchers published a study that reports on the use of chemical analysis of ear stones as a way to tease out a fish’s life story.

Researchers describe the use of chemical analysis of ear-stones or 'otoliths' to tease out details of a fish's life story, potentially revealing the migratory routes and environments the fish ...

It is because of the otoliths’ varying sizes that Darnell is restricted to using only those from halibut, rockfish, cod and eelpout. “Salmon (otoliths) are very small,” Darnell said.

Where do young fish hang out? Consult their ear stones. Also known as otoliths, ear stones help fish orient themselves. As a fish grows, it takes minerals like calcium from its environment and ...

Division biologists will measure the fish, determine the sex when possible, and remove the otoliths (ear bones) for age ...