View Full Version : Why do Bowfin have an ocellaris?
If I had to create a theory, I would say that it benefits them when they are young, but after they reach maturity it doesn't serve much purpose.
well, if it's the same thing as some saltwater fish has spots at the tail, it's to confuse any predator that would think the spot is the eye and attack the tail instead of the head.
fishyz
05-27-2006, 12:29 AM
I once saw a dogfish when I was real little and it had a sot tail to (I think).
sandtiger
05-27-2006, 3:27 PM
Just because they eat other fish does not mean fish don't eat them...they have it for the same reasons anything else would have an eye spot.
I suppose a large pike would eat adults, but it seems to me that an Ocellaris is unnecessary for a fish that is a top predator and great parent.
sandtiger
05-27-2006, 8:32 PM
I took the time to look it up and the spot does actually fade when the fish get's older. I imagin that it takes a very long time for the fish to reach a size where it would not become food anymore. There are several fish that would feed on a bowfin. Large catfish (channel, blue, flathead, bullhead etc), pike and muskellunge, black basses, walleye, large trout (lake trout). Then you also have snakes, turtles, birds, otters among others.
toxicfish
05-27-2006, 10:36 PM
I thought it was called an "ocelli" eye spot...
ewurm
05-27-2006, 10:47 PM
I took the time to look it up and the spot does actually fade when the fish get's older. I imagin that it takes a very long time for the fish to reach a size where it would not become food anymore. There are several fish that would feed on a bowfin. Large catfish (channel, blue, flathead, bullhead etc), pike and muskellunge, black basses, walleye, large trout (lake trout). Then you also have snakes, turtles, birds, otters among others.
I caught a 5lb fish that had a very noticeable eye spot. Not many predators would be capable of eating this fish, but I agree, there are some.
USMCtanker
05-27-2006, 10:49 PM
prob a stupid ? but i feel like learning what ocellaris im lost thanks
ewurm
05-27-2006, 11:00 PM
prob a stupid ? but i feel like learning what ocellaris im lost thanks
Ocellaris is an eye spot, on or near the tail. It is to fool would be predators, So they attack the wrong point on the body and allow easy escape or minimal damage. Examples of fish that have it are oscars, P-Bass, and Chuck Norris.
USMCtanker
05-27-2006, 11:02 PM
Ocellaris is an eye spot, on or near the tail. It is to fool would be predators, So they attack the wrong point on the body and allow easy escape or minimal damage. Examples of fish that have it are oscars, P-Bass, and Chuck Norris.
oh thanks for the info i feel like a better mfk already lol
ewurm
05-27-2006, 11:05 PM
oh thanks for the info i feel like a better mfk already lol
Also makes would-be predators think that they don't have the stealth advantage. Harder to catch a fish if it is expecting you.
USMCtanker
05-27-2006, 11:15 PM
Also makes would-be predators think that they don't have the stealth advantage. Harder to catch a fish if it is expecting you.
very true i watched something like that on animal planet
fishyz
05-30-2006, 4:43 PM
Ocellaris is an eye spot, on or near the tail. It is to fool would be predators, So they attack the wrong point on the body and allow easy escape or minimal damage. Examples of fish that have it are oscars, P-Bass, and Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris? Were do you get them because I've seached everywhere for them and can't find them.:ROFL:
Chuck Norris? Were do you get them because I've seached everywhere for them and can't find them.:ROFL:
Chuck Norris cichlids live in Texas, kill all other tank mates by ripping ou their heart and eating it, and are fed a diet of red meat and beer.
fishyz
05-31-2006, 3:57 PM
Nice.
toxicfish
06-01-2006, 2:32 AM
o·cel·lus (-sls)
n. pl. o·cel·li (-sl)
1. A small simple eye, found in many invertebrates, usually consisting of a few sensory cells and a single lens.
2. A marking that resembles an eye, as on the tail feathers of a male peacock; an eyespot.
o·cel·lus (-sls)
n. pl. o·cel·li (-sl)
1. A small simple eye, found in many invertebrates, usually consisting of a few sensory cells and a single lens.
2. A marking that resembles an eye, as on the tail feathers of a male peacock; an eyespot.
Didn't know about the invertebrates.