Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
Learn more at: bit.ly/40OH8XG
The ghost catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus) is a transparent fish native to slow-moving rivers and streams of Thailand, and they are also popular in freshwater aquariums. Because of its translucent scales, one can see its tiny heart beating and its spine.
When light from the sun or an artificial source passes through these fish, they can give off a vibrant rainbow glow. However, unlike other iridescent animals, the study found that the ghost catfish gets its iridescent shine from its internal organs, not its scales.
According to a press release, researchers used laser light, electron microscopy and X-ray scattering to characterize the optical properties of skin and muscle samples of the fish.
Through these methods, researchers determined that the ghost catfish’s muscles have “sarcomeres with periodic band structures inside tightly stacked myofibril sheets.” This means that light passes through the muscle fibers (myosin) and causes diffraction — or the slight bending of light.
Learn more at: bit.ly/40OH8XG
The ghost catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus) is a transparent fish native to slow-moving rivers and streams of Thailand, and they are also popular in freshwater aquariums. Because of its translucent scales, one can see its tiny heart beating and its spine.
When light from the sun or an artificial source passes through these fish, they can give off a vibrant rainbow glow. However, unlike other iridescent animals, the study found that the ghost catfish gets its iridescent shine from its internal organs, not its scales.
According to a press release, researchers used laser light, electron microscopy and X-ray scattering to characterize the optical properties of skin and muscle samples of the fish.
Through these methods, researchers determined that the ghost catfish’s muscles have “sarcomeres with periodic band structures inside tightly stacked myofibril sheets.” This means that light passes through the muscle fibers (myosin) and causes diffraction — or the slight bending of light.
