1. Structural Colors: The fish's skin contains specialized cells called iridocytes. These cells are filled with guanine crystals, which are highly reflective. The arrangement and shape of these crystals create a lattice-like structure that acts as a diffraction grating, splitting incoming light into its component wavelengths.
2. Interference: As light passes through the iridocytes, the different wavelengths interfere with each other. Depending on the angle at which the light hits the surface, different wavelengths are reinforced or canceled out, resulting in the rainbow-like iridescence.
3. Pigmentary Colors: In addition to structural colors, some fish species may have actual pigment cells that contribute to their overall coloration. These pigments, such as melanophores, xanthophores, and erythrophores, can absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light, further enhancing the fish's overall appearance.
It's worth noting that the exact mechanisms and structures responsible for iridescence can vary among different fish species, leading to unique patterns and colors. The combination of structural and pigmentary factors allows these see-through fish to display their captivating rainbow shimmer.
