Skip site navigation
Maryland Today
Athletics Arts & Culture Campus & Community People Research
Athletics Arts & Culture Campus & Community People Research
Research

How Well Do Fish See Color?

Biologists Study Cichlid Visual Perception and Behavior

UMD biology researchers and students are working with cichlids—among the most common and colorful freshwater fishes—to determine the limit of their ability to distinguish subtle color differences, and how it affects mating and other behavior. The fish have marvelously complex visual systems, with more than twice as many visual pigment genes as humans.

Related Articles

Research

October 09, 2025
Popular Video Game Could Help Autonomous Vehicles Achieve Certification

Research

November 06, 2025
Research Center Endowed by Family’s Latest Gift Draws International Luminaries, Inspires Collaborations