Archerfish Get an Eye Test

Mar. 21, 2013 — A modified version of an eye test used to assess visual acuity in the military has been given to archerfish by scientists to help explain how these remarkable fish are able to accurately spit down tiny insects high above the water's surface.

An archerfish (Toxotes chatareus) spitting

at the letter C in a modified Landolt C test,

which is used to measure visual acuity

(Credit: Dr Shelby Temple)

Dr Shelby Temple, now at the University of Bristol, and his team at the University of Queensland and the University of Western Australia used a modified version of the Landolt C test to discover just how fine a detail the archerfish could resolve.

The researchers first trained the fish to spit at one of two letters -- an 'O' or a 'C' -- by rewarding them with food. Then they showed them small versions of both letters together and recorded which letter they spat at.

Dr Temple said: "This modified Landolt C test works because the only difference between the two letters is the gap in the 'C' so in order to tell the difference and spit at the right target to get their reward the fish must be able to resolve the gap."

Continued:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130321133246.htm