Do you know there are many reasons why a fish might have big eyes? In most cases, it is an adaptation to help them see better in low-light conditions. With large eyes, fishes are able to see better in these conditions. Besides that, big eyes also help fish see prey from a distance. Fish like lanternfish rely on their
large eyes to help them spot prey in the dark waters where they live. Therefore, let’s talk about what fish have big eyes. We’ve done extensive research on your behalf, and came up with 27+ Types Of Fish With Big Eyes with pictures,
11 Types Of Fish With Big Eyes (According To Color)
“3” Black Fish With Big Eyes
There are many different types of black fish with big eyes. Some of these fish are well known, while others are not so. Below, I’ve given a proper list of different types of black fish with big eyes.
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Black Moor Goldfish
Most Black Moor Goldfish seem to have a protruding eye. This is because their eyes are quite larger in size compared to its head. However, the actual size of their eye can vary, but it is typically about 1/3 the size of the head. Plus, their eyes are not just large for show-off but actually play an important role in their vision. The big eyes give them a wide field of view, allowing them to see movement and prey from a distance.
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Panda Telescope
The Panda Telescope fish is a very popular pet due to its unique big eyes. They are black fish with white markings on their body. They are known to be peaceful fish that do well in community tanks. In addition, they can grow upto 4 inches long, and feed on a variety of foods like flakes, pellets, and frozen food.
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Swordfish
Swordfish’s big eyes are among the most noticeable features that give them a different look compared to other species living in the same habitat and conditions. Surprisingly, they can grow upto a foot in diameter and are able to stay underwater for up to 15 minutes at a time. Big eyes help them see in deep water which is helpful when they are hunting for prey.
“3” Gold Fish With Big Eyes
As you know Goldfish come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some have big eyes while others do not. You might have noticed some being long and sleek while the rest are more round. Regardless of their appearance, all goldfish are freshwater fish and Popular as pets among beginners.
Did you know that goldfish hail from China? They are a very popular pet among aquarists and quite noticeable in many aquariums around the world. Goldfish can grow large if fed properly and kept in the right conditions. They’ve been seen reaching lengths of up to 12 inches while weighing up to 5 pounds. As they have a lifespan of 10-15 years, they can live longer if cared for properly.
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Telescope Eye
Telescope Eye Fish is a freshwater fish that is widely found in the Amazon River Basin. They’re popular for their large eyes, which help them to see well in low-light conditions. They can also grow up to 18 inches in length and weigh up to 4 pounds. They’re well-recognised & popular among aquarists. Plus, they can be easily bred in captivity if cared for properly.
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Pearlscale
The Pearlscale Fish is a beautiful fish and is popular for its big eyes. They’re also available in various colours, including white, gold, and red. I don’t know if you knew this or not, but pearl scale is a type of carp which can grow up to 12 inches long and prefers cold water. As they are easy to care for, pearl-scale fishes are extremely popular among beginners. They’re not good for keeping with fish like bettas, guppies etc. They can be kept with calm tank mates.
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Celestial Eye
The Celestial Eye Fish is a freshwater fish that is found in Southeast Asia. They’ve striking big eyes which can be easily noticed. Their eyes look like the eye of a celestial being. With beautiful characteristics and interesting behaviour, they are popular aquarium fish. They are found in large groups in the wild because they’re schooling fish. Talking about its behaviour, they are found to be timid and often hide when provoked, disturbed or surprised.
They’re also very active fish who will often swim rapidly. They are able to adapt to a wide range of water conditions as they’re hardy. They can also tolerate water temperatures of 68-86° Fahrenheit. If you’re thinking of having one, prefer adopting 4-6 at a time minimum. Interestingly, celestial eyes are available in many different colors, including blue, red, yellow, and orange. They like eating small insects and other invertebrates that are available in their surrounding water.
“1” Orange Fish With Big Eyes
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Rockfish
The orange rockfishes come with big eyes which help them see in the dark waters. They’re bottom dwellers and are found in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They’re carnivores and prefer eating small fish. They also feed on shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans. They can grow upto 24 inches in length and weigh upto 10 pounds.
“2” Pink Fish With Big Eyes
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Pink Dentex Fish
The Pink Dentex Fish looks beautiful with bright pink scales and big eyes. However, their eyes are not as large as other fish mentioned in our list, but they’re popular among aquarists too.
They need a large tank as they can grow upto 12 inches long. They’re more popular as food than pets. They’re carnivores that feed on small fish. They’re fast swimmers and known to be aggressive towards other fish if kept in the same tank.
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Pink Snapper Fish
The pink snapper fish is another saltwater fish that is native to Australia’s waters. It has a long, sleek body with a deep red or pink colour and big eyes. Although they’re not kept as pets, they are popular sport fish. As pink snappers are considered quite tasty, they’re popular food. Pink snapper ranges in size with length of about 2-5 feet in length and can weigh upto 50 pounds.
“2” Red Fish With Big Eyes
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Squirrel Fish
Being small in size, Red Squirrel Fish can be found in the Indo-Pacific region. They typically have a length of only 2-7 inches. What makes them stand out is their large, bright eyes.
They are colourful with a reddish-brown body and light blue stripes. Despite being small in size, they are aggressive predators. They feed on a variety of prey, including other small fish, shrimp, and crabs. They are also popular as pets due to their attractive appearance.
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Bigeye Fish
The red bigeye fish is a beautiful creature that can be found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Their big eyes help them to see better in the dark depths of the ocean where they thrive.
They can grow up to 12 inches long and are a deep red colour with black markings. They are schooling fish and are often seen in large groups. They are carnivorous species that prey on small fish, shrimp, and squid.
9 Types Of Fish With Big Eyes (According To Appearance)
“3” Ugly Fish With Big Eyes
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Red-lipped Batfish
The Red-lipped Batfish, or Ogcocephalus darwini, is a fish found in the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They are identified by their bright red lips, which are used to attract prey, and their large eyes, which allow them to see in dark waters.
They can grow up to 18 inches long and typically live in deep water near coral reefs. Red-lipped Batfish are not good swimmers and prefer to “walk” along the ocean floor using their pectoral fins. They consume shrimps, fish smaller in size and additional crustaceans.
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Monkfish
Monkfish’s big eyes are strikingly large and they help the fish to see in murky waters. They have poor vision out of the water, but their eyesight is very sharp when they are submerged. This allows them to hunt for prey effectively. Monkfish are not very active fish, so their large eyes don’t need to be as efficient as those of more active predators.
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Atlantic Wolffish
The Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) is a big and brawny fish that can be found in the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. This fish is easily recognized by its large, protruding eyes which give it a somewhat comical appearance. Despite its humorous looks, the Atlantic Wolffish is a fierce predator that feeds on a variety of prey items, including shellfish, crabs, and other fish.
This fish can reach lengths of up to 3 feet and weigh up to 45 pounds. It has a stout body with a broad head and a long, tapered tail. The Atlantic Wolffish is covered in large scales that are armed with sharp spines. Its colouration varies depending on its environment, but it typically ranges from gray to brown or black.
The Atlantic Wolffish is a commercially valuable species and is often caught by fishermen targeting other species. It is considered to be a healthy food fish and is eaten fresh or frozen.
“3” Fat Fish With Big Eyes
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Tiger Shark
The Tiger Shark is a species of requiem shark that is noted for its impressive size and big eyes. They can grow up to 18 feet long and weigh up to 1,400 pounds, making them one of the largest sharks in the world. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters all over the world and are usually solitary animals that prefer to hunt at night.
Despite their size, Tiger Sharks are not considered particularly dangerous to humans and only account for a small number of fatalities each year. They are known to be curious and opportunistic predators and will eat just about anything they can catch, including fish, sea turtles, dolphins, seals, and even other sharks. They have a characteristic black stripe down their side that helps to identify them in the water.
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Genie’s Dogfish
The fat Genie’s Dogfish has some of the biggest eyes in the ocean. They can be up to one-third the size of their body! These big eyes help them see in the dark and catch prey. They are carnivorous fish, meaning they eat other animals. They mainly eat crustaceans, but will also eat small fish.
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Rockfish
Rockfish is a name given to many different species of fish that live in the sea. Some rockfish are fat and have big eyes, like the one shown in the picture. Rockfish can be found in coastal waters all over the world. They come in many different colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and black.
Rockfish are predators and eat other fish, shrimp, and crabs. They can grow up to six feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. They are popular food fish and are often caught by fishermen using trawls and nets.
“3” Cartoon Fish With Big Eyes
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Dori
Dory is a famed blue tang fish character from the hit films, “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory“. She is known for her lovable personality, as well as her struggles with short-term memory loss.
Despite this, she stays a robust personality and uncompromising individual. Dory’s home is in the Indo-Pacific ocean, and she is a parental figure to Nemo.
Dory is able to read human signs and words, despite not being able to remember them for very long. She was adopted by Marlin and Nemo after they found her drifting in the ocean alone.
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Nemo
Nemo the fish character has a big eye and is a popular cartoon character. He first appeared in the movie “Finding Nemo” in 2003. The movie was about Nemo’s father trying to find him after he was taken by divers. Nemo is a clownfish and can change colour depending on his mood. Nemo is likewise very friendly and loves to recreate.’
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Flounder
Flounder is a fish character with a big eye. He is one of the stars of Disney’s The Little Mermaid movie. He is a friendly and helpful fish who aids Ariel on her quest to find Eric. Flounder is a loyal friend who is always there for others when they need him.
10 Fish With Big Eyes (According To Water & Climate Conditions)
“3” Deep Sea Fish With Big Eyes
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Porbeagle Shark
The Porbeagle Shark is a big, sleek fish that has a very big eye. It lives in deep water and is often mistaken for a great white shark. It is a fast swimmer and can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
Porbeagles are predators and eat fish, seals, and other sharks. They have sharp teeth and can impose a vicious bite. Porbeagles are not considered to be a danger to humans, however, they should always be treated with caution.
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Bigeye Tuna
The Bigeye Tuna is a large fish that lives in deep water. It has large eyes that help it see in the dark depths where it lives. This fish is a popular food item and can be found in markets all around the world.
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Blue Sharks
Blue Sharks are one of the most common and familiar sharks on earth. They can be found in all of the world’s oceans, and they live in deep water. These sharks have big eyes that help them see in the dark.
They use their keen eyesight to find prey like fish, seals, and sea lions. Blue Sharks are carnivores, meaning that they eat meat. They usually hunt by stealth, sneaking up on their prey before attacking. Blue Sharks can grow up to 12 feet long, and they weigh up to 350 pounds.
“2” Freshwater Fish With Big Eyes
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Horse-eye Jack
The Horse-eye Jack is a fish that lives in freshwater. It has big eyes that help it see in the dark and catch prey. The Horse-eye Jack is a predatory fish, meaning it hunts and eats other animals for food. It is typically around 12 inches long but can grow up to 18 inches long. The Horse-eye Jack is a popular fish for anglers to catch because it is a strong fighter.
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Tarpon Fish
The tarpon fish is a large, predatory fish that lives in freshwater. It has big eyes and a long body and can grow up to 2 meters in length. Tarpon fish are solitary animals and are not known to be very social.
They feed on other fish and invertebrates and can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour when hunting prey. Tarpon fish are a popular game fish and are prized for their fighting ability and delicious meat.
“1” Black Freshwater Fish With Big Eyes
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Oscar Fish
The black Oscar Fish is a freshwater fish that has big eyes. It is a carnivore that eats other fish. They are usually about 12-16 inches long but can grow up to 24 inches long.
Oscars live in South America, North America, and parts of Europe. They prefer still or slow-moving water and can be found in ponds, lakes, and rivers. Oscars are popular fish for aquariums because they are easy to care for and interesting to watch.
“1” Black Tropical Fish With Big Eyes
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Catfish
The Black Catfish has some of the biggest eyes of any fish in the world. They are able to see extremely well in both salt and fresh water. These fish can be found in coastal areas all over the world. They use their keen eyesight to find food, avoid predators, and navigate their way around their environment. Black Catfish are generally peaceful fish and make good pets for aquariums.
“2” Saltwater Fish With Big Eyes
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Basslets
Basslets are a type of fish that are found in saltwater. They have big eyes and can be quite colorful. Some basslets can even change color to match their surroundings.
They are generally quite small, but some species can grow up to six inches long. Basslets are generally considered to be a good fish for beginning aquarists, as they are easy to care for and relatively hardy.’
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Blennies
Blennies fish are a type of perch that live in saltwater. They have big eyes and can often be found near coral reefs. Blennies are typically about six inches long, but some species can grow up to a foot long.
They are colourful fish, with a variety of markings that can vary depending on the species. Blennies are carnivores and eat mostly small invertebrates like shrimp and crabs. They are popular as pets and can be found in many pet stores.
“1” Red Saltwater Fish With Big Eyes
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Clownfish
Red Clownfish are a type of saltwater fish that have big eyes. They are a beautiful red color and can be found in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Clownfish live in coral reefs and are very territorial.
If another fish enters their territory, they will fight for their space. Clownfish are very social animals and live in groups called “families.” They eat a variety of things, including zooplankton, small fish, and shrimp. Clownfish can be easy to care for in an aquarium and make great pets.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! 27+ Types Of Fish With Big Eyes. Some of these fish have big eyes because they live in dark waters and need to be able to see well. Other fish have big eyes because they are predators that rely on their good vision to find prey. Did we miss any types of fish with big eyes? Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from our readers.