Aquarium celebrates birth of rare four-eyed fish

Monday, September 14, 2009 - 01:27 PM

Zoologists are celebrating after a pair of rare four-eyed fish were born at their aquarium.

The fish – known as anableps – originally come from the rivers of South America where they use their bizarre eyes to see both above and below the water’s surface at the same time.

The pupil in each eye is horizontally divided into two parts, allowing the fish to find food at or below the surface and also give it extra protection against predators.

This is the first time the species has bred successfully at Blue Planet in Cheshire and the zoological team are hopeful that more babies are on the way with several more females apparently pregnant.

Blue Planet’s Paul Renolds said: “They’re amazing-looking fish and are definitely one of our most popular freshwater species here at the aquarium.

“The fact that they are reproducing successfully in captivity is a great indicator that conditions in their display are just right and we’re hoping that this first pair of youngsters will soon be joined by many more.”

The anableps give birth to live young after a pregnancy lasting around eight weeks.

The babies measure approximately 5cm when born but grow quickly, reaching their full size of around 15cm-20cm in just eight months.

In the wild their main prey are insects and other invertebrates.

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/aquarium-celebrates-birth-of-rare-four-eyed-fish-426295.html#ixzz0ROtAkV8H