Cloudy Waters Causes Cichlids African Fish To Develop Bigger Eyes | INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AQUACULTURE AND AQUATIC SCIENCES

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Cloudy Waters Causes Cichlids African Fish to Develop Bigger Eyes

Article by: Nur Hidayahanum Hamid

Source: Ohio State University (ScienceDaily)

A new study led by Jai Tiarks at The Ohio State University reveals that variations in water quality can impact the development of the visual system in Blue Lips cichlids, a fish species native to Uganda. The research, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, found that young fish raised in cloudy water developed larger eyes compared to those in clear water, regardless of their parents' environment. The study highlighted that young cichlids showed significant adaptability in response to turbid conditions, unlike older fish. Researchers also noted differences in brain and eye size patterns between young and old fish, suggesting different sensory demands at various life stages. This adaptability is crucial as deforestation and sediment deposition increasingly threaten their habitats.