Scientists say mysterious nighttime humming keeping UK town up at night from mating fish

SCIENTISTS say a mysterious hum keeping residents of a British town up at night may be from mating fish.

Goldfish bowl

SCIENTISTS say a mysterious hum keeping residents of a British town up at night may be from mating fish.

Locals in Hythe, near Southampton have complained of a low-pitched hum that "pulsates" through homes, keeping them up at night, reports the Independent UK.

People have complained to the local council and some residents even sought medical help, believing they had tinnitus. The source of the noise was a mystery, with everything from local cargo ships to washing machines blamed for the humming.

However, scientists now believe the strange hum is coming from Midshipman fish, which make a deep droning sound to attract mates and warn off other males.

The fish are nocturnal and often drone all night, with the low-frequency din easily carrying through walls and into homes, stopping locals from getting a good night’s sleep, reports the Independent.

"I thought I was going mad at first," said Linda Zammit, who lives Woolston, Southampton.

"I hear it every night unless it’s windy or raining. It doesn’t keep me awake but it stops me getting back to sleep if I do happen to wake up."