Generally, whether fish eyes are considered "big" depends on the species and its habitat. Some fish have proportionally very large eyes, while others have relatively small eyes.
Here's a breakdown:
- Deep-Sea Fish: Many deep-sea fish have evolved exceptionally large eyes to capture as much light as possible in the dark depths. This adaptation helps them detect bioluminescent prey or predators. These can be considered "big" relative to their body size.
- Predatory Fish: Visual predators often have larger eyes to aid in spotting prey. For example, fish that are active hunters and rely on sight tend to have larger eyes than those that are ambush predators.
- Fish in Murky Water: Some fish in murky waters also have larger eyes. While the water isn't as dark as the deep sea, the reduced visibility favors larger eyes for better detection capabilities.
- Daytime Fish in Clear Water: Many fish in clear, well-lit water during the day have relatively average-sized or even small eyes because they do not require large light-gathering organs.
In summary, many fish, especially those in low-light environments or those that are visual predators, tend to have proportionally large eyes. Other fish have smaller eyes suited to their environmental needs.