This is an incredible fish. Especially when studying vision. To give you some background, this fish is part of a family of Indo-Pacific fishes. There are seven different species within the family. For a long time not much was known about the fish. However there have been EXTREMELY new and recenent research that is exciting and has contributed greatly to the broader research that has been done so far…these fish have the ability to see ultraviolet light. There have been no other deep sea fish that have been found to be able to see ultraviolet light. Evolutionarily it doesn't necessarily make sense. If you are living at the depths of the ocean, why would it be beneficial to develop the ability to see ultraviolet light. Yet, against all odds, these fish can. This is essential to our research that is being conducted into Duke University. Ideally, humans would want to have better eyesight even if it is not necessary for survival.
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HannahHannah has studied studied fish for over 20 years. Her interest in marine life began when she was working at the New England Aquarium Archives |