But the ageing fish does look a little different, after undergoing eye surgery to remove cataracts.

Vets in Vancouver carried out the first-of-its-kind surgery at an aquarium to stop the fish being attacked by others.

The copper rockfish lives in the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre’s Strait of Georgia exhibit.

Like other animals, rockfishes often encounter some health issues as they age, and this particular fish was found to have developed cataracts in its left eye, according to the aquarium’s head veterinarian, Dr Martin Haulena.

The fish's damaged eye was replaced with a taxidermy eye for cosmetic reasons, as well as in a bid to keep it alive in an environment where competition is fierce.

This is because, without an eye, other fish in the tank would have acted aggressively towards, or 'bullied' the partially blind fish, assuming it to be sick and weak.  

The fish's damaged eye was replaced with a taxidermy eye for cosmetic reasons, as well as in a bid to keep it alive in an environment where competition is fierce.

This is because, without an eye, other fish in the tank would have acted aggressively towards, or 'bullied' the partially blind fish, assuming it to be sick and weak.  

(dailymail.co.uk)