Researching remarkable fish which can see colours at the deepest depths of the ocean has opened researchers’ eyes to the evolution of vision.

An international team of researchers including Australian scientists looked at over 100 fish species, specifically investigating their vision.

Fabio Cortesi from the Queensland Brain Institute at UQ said they were surprised when they looked at the makeup of the eyes of fish from very deep in the ocean to find something unprecedented.

A Lanternfish, which was found to have multiple rod receptors in its eyes, allowing it to see colours at great depths. Credit:Dr. Wen-Sung Chung, University of Queensland

“Ninety-nine point 99 per cent of vertebrates have one type of rod which they use at night to perceive black and white,” Dr Cortesi said.