Bichir Eyesight

[Stump]

Just how bad is a bichir's (senegalus in particular) eyesight?

I ask because I swear at least two of my three sens recognize as the one who feeds them. Do their brains have the capacity for that kind of thought? I'd think so, but...

 

[Cohazard]

The olfactory organ has been studied in P. bichir bichir, and it is much stronger than their eyesight. Twice as much or more.

I have seen other hobbyists make claims that senegalus seem to have better eyesight, based on observations that they seem to be very 'accurate' when they feed.

I wouldn't be so quick to attribute better eye sight with those observations without further study into the differences (if any) between the eyes of each species.

Because sens are a more active species, I belive that is what truly helps them find food fast, because even my sens 'overshoot' the spot where the food is sometimes.

Good question!


Now as far as their brains, that's where my knowledge drops off and I can't give you a good answer. I can share with you my observations though. Most of us have had a fish (likely to be a cichlid) which recognizes the pattern of human approaching tank, and food being given.

Polypterus don't seem to share that level of cognizance, likely due to their poor eye sight.

 

[Stump]

Thanks for the response. It's an interesting topic to get into.


Also, I just realized I forgot the word "me" in that post... lol

 

[King-eL]

This actually puzzled me as well about the polypterus eye sight. Polli and sene seems to have a better eye sight than any other bichirs, but I'm not sure if it's true. As I notice during feeding time that most lower jaw bichirs can locate food and other object faster than most lower jaw bichirs. When it comes to being spook, it actually most of the upper jaw bichirs are the one that get spook first, while lower just stay still or will just react after. However, I'm not 100% sure if they are able to see.

 

[ettfettbranamn]

yup, I've noticed that as well.

 

[vaine111]

my ornate is more active when there is a fish in the tank that can fit in his mouth.

 

[dbcb314]

my rope fish are extremely slow to food and seem to "guess" and miss where food is 1000x more than the sens, ornate, and del.

 

[beblondie]

notice the differences in the Olfactory bulb and the Optic tectum
it demonstrates the difference between sight hunters and scent hunters-Anne

 

[Deaths Sting]

looks like some type of weird insect, very good info by the way!

 

[Stump]

Nice visual Anne... Do you know what species that is showing?