The Pistol Shrimp is one of the loudest animals on Earth, but...?

[Subnautica]

Today I learned that the Pistol shrimp is ranked #2 among the loudest animals on earth. Wow!!! Thats so interesting!

However, how come the clicking noise from my Pistol in my aquarium is never as loud? It's no louder than a door knocking sound. I know this question is dumb but I'm genuinely curious. :/

 

[Ta2oodfreak]

Here you go....its the same idea as screaming with your head above or below water. The amount of molecules the sound has to transfer through absorbs the sound waves differently.
Now imagine how loud the little guy would be outside of the water.....

Sound Absorption

You have heard the word "absorb" in many contexts. Think of a paper towel commercial. They advertise, "This towel is more absorbent than the average towel." Or think of a sponge. If you spill grape juice, you clean it up by wiping a wet sponge over the grape juice spill. The sponge has just absorbed

dosits.org

 

[Subnautica]

Thanks. Now I wonder what happened if I stuck my head into my tank while the shrimp's snapping its claw, or what happened to the diver if they dive near its nest.

 

[BloopFish]

Thanks. Now I wonder what happened if I stuck my head into my tank while the shrimp's snapping its claw, or what happened to the diver if they dive near its nest.

When you dive underwater they sort of sound like popcorn, many of them in the wild form colonies and communicate through the noise. I doubt any would try to snap your earhole though, I'd imagine that would suck a lot lol

 

[Paul B]

It's the loudest animal on earth "for it's size"