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 ...

Fish ear bones, also known as otoliths, are like tree rings for the ocean. A layer of calcium carbonate laid down each year offers a snapshot of both the fish’s yearly growth and its surrounding ...

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 ...

The ear is much more than a hearing device, ... In the space age, physiologists are learning much more about these otoliths (ear stones), which respond to forces of gravity or acceleration.

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.

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.

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