How well can my betta see me?

LeahK

LeahK

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Jul 5, 2007
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This question's probably been asked a million times, but I can't find any solid info online. Does anyone know the science behind fish eyesight? Can my betta see well enough to see my facial features? Can it distinguish me from other people? Or distinguish my face from my hand?
Or am I just a big blurry blob that signals the coming of food? :)
 
One of my crazy bettas stares at me while I sleep. He is about ten feet away but always knows where I am. He food-dances for me more than other people. Another one of mine won't go face-to-face with any humans but me.

I don't know any real science behind it, but I think they know who feeds them.
 
My guy at work food dances for me and one of my co-workers. He ignores everyone else. My co-worker took care of him when I was sick for a week and my betta recognizes him when he walks in the room. If I am sitting at my desk and I don't look over at him often he drapes himself over his mossball and looks very dramatic until I do. LOL
 
As predatory feeders, I suppose keen eyesight is a development bettas would naturally have. There weren't many answers here yet, so I got curious too. Found some references.. marine and fresh.

Fish have excellent eyesight. In fact, many scientists agree that the vision of fish is equivalent with our own vision, with some fish even seeing in color. Fish have special adaptations allowing them to see underwater and at great depths. This ability helps fish find shelter, food, and mate, while avoiding predators.
Click to expand...

Then I checked on bettas in particular...

Overall, the Betta's eyesight is somewhat poor.
Click to expand...

One interesting aspect of Betta fish is their extremely well-developed eyesight.
Click to expand...

Great. So much for the internet. :huh:

It should be interesting to find out what everyone else thinks.

I did find something else that I wasn't expecting in this old news story. Wow.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200008/08/eng20000808_47639.html
 
I haven't decided if it's sight or they notice the vibration when I walk near the tank, but my bettas definitely come running ...er... swimming when I walk near their tank.
 
I suspect that bettas see very well. My female betta is about a yard away and when I move to look at her, she response. She also taunts the male betta in the tank next to her. I used to have a male betta that could tell the difference between people and always hid when an unknown guest appeared.

I wonder how well then can hear personally. I used to have five male bettas that were trained to come to "here fishy fishy" (people got a kick out of that). I know it wasn't movement response because they could be sleeping or on the other side of a decoration and didn't respond until I called them vocally. I suspect they "hear" the vibration of my voice rather than the actual noise though.
 
I can't speak for bettas, but my guppies KNOW when I am in the room. Either they sense the light turning on or my vibration (as mentioned before) as I move within proximity of the tank. One time I snuck in (yes I have to sneak around my fish) and carefully came close to the tank. They didn't notice me until I put my finger up to the glass and then were caught off guard. I scared them!

It would be interesting to read some literature on this topic. It's not something I ever thought of before.
 
i think they see well . they can tell the difference from their owner and other visitors , and i m sure they can see the color , or atleast they can understand the difference cuz when anyone with a red or yello or orange ( any light and active color ) go over the tank mine comeout and starring at the shirt :) ... and sure he reconize me , the tank is near the tv sometimes he stare at tv too ! but i think they have a narrow angel of view ... but they sure can tell the difference from for example ur finger and other things , when i get my finger over the tank he comes and follow , but for some reason he loves/or hate the pen ! whenever i show him a pen or pencil he jump out and wanna attack it , for some object he does for some he doesn t ...
 
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