Bright Camouflage

Psalm 146:6
“Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever…”

Most people have seen the beautiful colors of reef fish. However, all those bright colors would be expected to make them attractive to predators.

Researchers have learned that while we appreciate all the bright colors, when we see fish as other fish see them, most of these fish are perfectly camouflaged. Almost fifty percent of the fish so far studied can see ultraviolet light. Further, fish such as the damselfish, have markings that can only be seen in the ultraviolet range. Researchers studying the effect of water depth on light color and the pigments in various fish’s eyes have concluded that fish cannot see, for example, the subtleties of all the shade of yellows around them. What appears to us as a bright yellow trumpet fish is seen by fish eyes to be the same color as a coral reef ten feet away. What appears to us as a bright yellow and blue striped angel fish appears to fish eyes several feet away like the reef itself. Several species of cleaner fish sport a similar shade of blue even though they may not be related. Perhaps this color is a code to other species that need cleaning.

God has here designed a color scheme that brings delight to the eye, and yet offers his creatures protection so that they can continue from generation to generation. p.a.b.

Prayer:
Thank You, Father, for the beauty You have built into the creation even as You protect Your creatures. Amen.

Notes:
Science News, 11/6: 2004, pp. 296-297, 300, Susan Milius, “Hide and See.”