How do sea mammals see above and below water?

[Tom Smedley]

Actually when I cleaned the aquarium at Point Cadet on a regular basis I could not see out. They kept the lights on in the tank and dim in the viewing areas. The windows looked like mirrors. I could see noses pressed against the glass. Some of the fish were funny when they would see their own reflection.

We had a mantas shrimp in a tank once and had to stop turning on the tank lights when the room lights were off. They are territorial and he almost destroyed the tank fighting his own reflection.

As to whether fish can be cognizent and reason is probably only known to Gahan Wilson. I think I have seen several instances in his cartoons about that.

Of course if you look at Sherman and his family at www.slagoon.com all the creatures on there can hold intelligent conversations and reason.

It is the fluid or gas with which the eye is in contact that matters. The aquarium sides work equally well for the critters inside as for the critters outside, so the fish can see out into the surrounding air just fine.

The fish can see; fish don't "know" anything.
S

 

[Darin]

So, follow me here, if the eye doc can correct vision out of the water, why not IN the water too? I'm sure they could.

Imagine a set of contacts for diving.....now THAT would be some good field of vision.

Too bad we can't figure out how to keep them in and the whole salt water thing....

Hhhmmmm.......?

The days of diving with a mask may soon be over.....?

Darin

 

[JasonH20]

So, follow me here, if the eye doc can correct vision out of the water, why not IN the water too? I'm sure they could.

Imagine a set of contacts for diving.....now THAT would be some good field of vision.

Too bad we can't figure out how to keep them in and the whole salt water thing....

Hhhmmmm.......?

The days of diving with a mask may soon be over.....?

Darin

I don't think that is possible. It has to do with the refraction of light between water and air (inside the eyeball). Even with a contact, the refraction angle will be too much to overcome. For example, I know a magnifying glass alone will not work under water (ask Uncle Pug if you need more details...)