Can fish see colors?

[pbnj]

I was at a LFS recently and there was a magnificent 12"-14" Blond Naso Tang that seemed like it wanted to jump through the glass to attack me. It was calm when I first approached, but started thrashing like a shark at feeding time until I moved.

I was wearing a bright red shirt and it begged the question, "Can fish see colors?"

 

[Luiz Rocha]

Not only they can see colors, but some of them see more colors than we do. For example, some damselfishes see in the UV spectrum.

 

[pbnj]

Interesting....thanks much!

 

[Yogre]

Funny you should mention that! I have a couple of bright red shirts too. Some of my fish just hate them, I approach the tank and everyone bolts behind the rocks.

A little OT, but mantis shrimp have the most amazing eyes of all. One of the species that Dr. Roy Caldwell has been studying can see circular polarized light. I don't know what the hell that is :lol: but I do know that very few other creatures, if any, can see in that spectrum. I know humans can't without specialized equipment.

 

[ShrimpChipGal]

Ohhh that's so interesting!!! It explains so much on how come sometimes they hide if I approach the tank but other times they come beg for food.

 

[smb2]

Many fish not only see UV wavelengths but also have to protect themselves from UV damage. Some have sun screen !
American Scientist Nov-Dec 2008 has an article about what fish see.

 

[Michael]

they must be able to see colours imo, otherwise they wouldnt be colourful, they would all be brown or grey, a very good question though.

 

[Bcamp]

Some fish are brightly colored as a warning. So it makes sense that a bright shirt might send them running.

 

[Creetin]

I know my tangs will not even sample brown nori But they love green and red.