Why do Bowfin have an ocellaris?

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ewurm

ewurm

Aimara
MFK Member
Jan 27, 2006
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
sandtiger said:
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.
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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.
 
prob a stupid ? but i feel like learning what ocellaris im lost thanks
 
USMCtanker said:
prob a stupid ? but i feel like learning what ocellaris im lost thanks
Click to expand...

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.
 
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