Some fish species apparently possess light altering properties, making them appear invisible underwater. Scientists discovered that some fish have skin cells with microscopic structures that enable them to release polarized light, using this strategy as a stealth mode to escape from predators.

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For humans, the underwater environment in oceans could appear unchanging, however marine animals see the ocean in diverse views, as the environment creates optical illusions, similar to a kaleidoscope effect. This special ability allows certain fish to camouflage themselves and evade predators as a means for survival.

In this new study, scientists Molly Cummings and Parrish Brady of the University of Texas examined and investigated how fish can adjust to fluctuations in polarized lighting in underwater conditions.

Researchers say that vibrations are sent from polarizing light waves as long as they are both travelling on the same level. However, most light under the oceans are not polarized and produce vibrations, as they are all travelling on different planes.

Light before it hits the water is not polarized and once it enters the ocean, sunlight can then create a sparkling shimmery effect with reflection. In underwater conditions, sunlight now becomes polarized. Some fish with skin cells that have platelets can now identify and mimic these vibrations coming from the polarized lights.

These fish platelets are made up of small nanoscale crystals, making them shiny, glimmering underwater. This new study reveals how these shiny, luminous scales of the fish are crucial to fish survival.

According to Brady, the platelets are arranged in a specific pattern that they scatter reflecting light away from the animal, emitting a silver sheen when someone looks at the fish. They are also aligned this way to produce reflective properties.

With these new findings, special reflective fish platelets can lead to the development of military optics, for human camouflage applications especially in underwater environments. This new study is published in the journal, Science. 

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