Ballonfish Eyes

Does anyone know any information on what causes and what use does the Ballonfish have for this strange blue/green pattern across its eyes?

Hi!

You should enter the image in this weeks POTW contest. Topic "eye contact"!

Helge ;-)=)

We have a few fish up north in BC that have a similar effect, of which the most familiar is a Red Irish Lord. Some fish have more colouration than others. I have a similar shot of a Balloonfish eye with none of the colour effect (darn!). I have heard it is a type of naturally occuring bacteria that cause it, but that may be just diver tales!

I have attached one of these to show the similarity.

Marli