Is it unusual for a senegal bichir to have red eyes?

[Gene0514]

I just noticed this today and thought it was pretty cool. Here are some pics of him. Sorry if the pics are blurry cuz he was moving around the whole time.

 

[Andri Pogo]

they dont have red eyes, they just reflect red cause of the the camera flash.

 

[Gene0514]

I wasn't talking about the pics though, I meant that when I look at his eyes, they look redish.

 

[uwe]

Hello Gene0514,

if there is any light that comes on the senegal's eye it will be reflected ... this effect is better known from owls and other creatures of the night.
This effect is almost characteristic for the most animals which are living night-orientated. On Polypterus senegalus this effect isn't as heavily as on other bichirs - the most spotlight-like eyes do have delhezi ... it's nearly impossible to photograph them without this effect and - if there's a little bit of light in the room you're keeping them you will see them "glow"!

So don't worry, it's almost normal!

Greetings

Uwe

 

[Gene0514]

thank you very much for your reply

 

[uwe]

Hello Gene,

this is one of the aims of a forum ... have fun with your Polypterus senegalus (i really like this latin name!)

Greetings

Uwe

 

[Druu]

The cause is light reflecting outwards. Your ray of light will bounce in, but some will reflect off the back of the eye. When this is coming out towards you, it bounces through a small capillary network, giving it a red tint.

 

[Dovii dude]

The "Devil Poly!!!"

 

[Justin94565]

lol druu going all scientific on this.

 

[Druu]

lol druu going all scientific on this.

Same reason some animals have glowing white eyes in pictures. The density of capillaries is relatively sparse so no red tint is added.