Virginia Hodge, age 11, of Bristow, Okla.

How do fish smell their food?

Smell and taste are very much alike under water ‑ and this is where the fish spends his time. The average fish has a pointed nose but, unlike our noses, it is not connected to the mouth. His nose helps him to smell food in the offing, but this is not all. He has taste buds on various areas of his skin and these are always sensitive to flavors in the water. With the help of them he can scent a tempting morsel with his back, his sides or even with his tail.

Certain fish, like the catfish have sensitive barbell for smelling. These are the feelers which look like cat whiskers. Actually, the barbell are made of soft flesh, covered with skin set with taste buds.