How do the eyes of *Clarias batrachus* compare in development to its barbels?
Answer
The eyes are relatively small compared to the elaborate barbels.
Unlike the highly developed sensory apparatus provided by its eight prominent barbels, the eyes of the walking catfish are described as being relatively small. This comparative feature underscores the fish's reliance on non-visual senses, particularly those mediated by the barbels, to navigate, find sustenance, and interact with its environment in dark, turbid, or low-visibility aquatic settings. The barbels detect vibrations and chemical cues, compensating for the limited utility of sight afforded by the smaller eyes.
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