Zebrafish Eyes? Any biologists here?

[PowderedToastMan]

Any marine biologists in here? Zebrafish are used as an example of retinal regeneration and is often used as a model of how humans may someday heal blindness diseases. I can't find any references to the structures of their eyes. In particular how fine their vision is. I know they have 4 cones to our 3, but how many cones compared to a human's 3.5 million?

 

[PowderedToastMan]

No marine biologists here?

 

[Essjay]

Most of us keep freshwater fish. There are a few members who keep marine fish, but i do not how how interested they are in the biology of their fish.

 

[PowderedToastMan]

Most of us keep freshwater fish. There are a few members who keep marine fish, but i do not how how interested they are in the biology of their fish.

Oh, I think Zebrafish are freshwater.

 

[threecharacters]

Oh, I think Zebrafish are freshwater.

Marine biologists specifically study saltwater systems and the discipline is very broad with some not studying fish at all. You're thinking something more like ichthyologists which specifically study fish, both fresh and salt.

I doubt you'll find a lot of biology discourse on this website, especially something as nuanced as the topic you brought up.

If I were to guess I would think that Zebrafish have better eyesight than humans, as aquatic creatures typically have very good eyesight. They certainly can see more colors than us as you already mentioned. Actually, mammals as a whole have some of the worst eyesight in the animal kingdom. Humans have exceptionally good eyesight for mammals. Not only do we see a pretty good number colors, we have good visual acuity too. Good eyesight probably co-evolved with our ability to use projectile weapons. It's hard to hit something if you can't see it very well. Still, birds and aquatic animals generally have better eyesight. I'm not a biologist, and I don't guarantee anything I said is correct.

 

[PowderedToastMan]

Marine biologists specifically study saltwater systems and the discipline is very broad with some not studying fish at all. You're thinking something more like ichthyologists which specifically study fish, both fresh and salt.

I doubt you'll find a lot of biology discourse on this website, especially something as nuanced as the topic you brought up.

If I were to guess I would think that Zebrafish have better eyesight than humans, as aquatic creatures typically have very good eyesight. They certainly can see more colors than us as you already mentioned. Actually, mammals as a whole have some of the worst eyesight in the animal kingdom. Humans have exceptionally good eyesight for mammals. Not only do we see a pretty good number colors, we have good visual acuity too. Good eyesight probably co-evolved with our ability to use projectile weapons. It's hard to hit something if you can't see it very well. Still, birds and aquatic animals generally have better eyesight. I'm not a biologist, and I don't guarantee anything I said is correct.

Thanks for the reply. I just assumed most fish had poor eyesight and birds have the best. I know fish tend to have rounder eyes, and some fish have very high light sensitivity, but I assumed it was less accuity. Eyes require an absurd amount of electric current to function. I just figured one of the reasons nature select us not to regenerate our retinas because they're more complex. At least we have three layers in our retinas to zebrafish's one. Maybe evolution screwed up. Lol.

 

[Essjay]

Oh, I think Zebrafish are freshwater.

You mentioned marine biologists so I assumed they were marine fish and as I know nothing about marine fish I don't know whether there are any marine fish called zebrafish.

There's no fresh water fish called zebrafish either as far as I'm aware, unless you mean zebra danio?