Goldfish Eyesight

The Goldfish Eye

A goldfish eye contains rods that are responsible for seeing in low light levels; known as scotopic vision. The goldfish eye also contains cones that are responsible for several things, one of which is seeing in color. A human eye contains three different chemicals that allow it to see colors but a goldfish eye contains those plus another chemical that allows it to see in the ultraviolet spectrum. On top of all of that, a goldfish eye contains a thin coating over it that allows a goldfish to see clearly underwater.










The placement of the eyes on a goldfish limit its ability to see. Not only does the eye placement create a substantial blind spot right in front of the goldfish, it makes it harder to see well at greater distances. Certain goldfish breeds have added obstructions that make their vision even worse. The telescope goldfish has its eyes at the ends of globe like protuberance; the pompon goldfish has exterior nasal septa; the bubble eye goldfish has fluid filled skin sacks bellow its eyes; the oranda and ranchu goldfish have a wen hood cover that can cover its eyes; the celestial goldfish has its eyes pointed upwards.