Flashlight Fish (a.k.a. Splitfin
Flashlightfish)
Anomalops katoptron
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Range and habitat:
The flashlight fish is found in the Pacific Ocean
from Indonesia, east to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan and
south to the Great Barrier Reef. Flashlight fish hide in coral caves during
the day, coming out only at night to feed.
Natural diet:
They eat zooplankton that they find at night
using their bioluminescent photophores.
Size / weight range:
Some flashlight fish are eported to reach
10 to 14 inches, but most are less than 4 inches long.
Interesting facts:
Flashlight fish possess a pocket of luminescent
bacteria below each of their eyes that glows bright green. The pocket
of bacteria can be rotated inwards to turn the lights “out.” They use
the light from these bacteria at night to see their food. They can also
signal other nearby flashlight fish with their lights. By rapidly blinking
their lights and then darting away in an unexpected direction, they can
also escape many predators. Endangered species status: Not evaluated by
the IUCN, not considered endangered.
Location at The Toledo Zoo:
Aquarium
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