Flashlight fish
| Flashlight Fish | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Splitfin flashlightfish, Anomalops katoptron | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Beryciformes |
| Family: | Anomalopidae |
| Genera | |
|
Anomalops |
|
The flashlight fish are a family, the Anomalopidae, of beryciform fish. There are some unrelated fish with similar features, some of which are also called flashlight fish. Notable among these are the deep sea lanternfish, of the family Myctophidae, of which there are over 200 species.
Flashlight fishes live in tropical waters across the world. Some species move to shallow waters or coral during the night, but otherwise, they are exclusively deep water fish. They are typically about 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in adult length, although some species reach twice this size. They feed on small crustaceans.[1]
Flashlight fish are named for their large bioluminescent organs. These are located beneath the eyes and contain luminous bacteria. Two methods are used by different species for controlling light emission, either a shutter-like lid is raised over the organ or the organ is turned downward into a pouch. The light is used for predator avoidance, to attract prey, and for communication.[2]
[edit] Classification
The family contains eight species, in six genera:[3]
Family Anomalopidae
- Genus Anomalops
- Splitfin flashlightfish, Anomalops katoptron, found in the warm waters of the western Pacific Ocean, sometimes in the very deep ocean trenches.
- Genus Kryptophanaron
- Atlantic flashlightfish, Kryptophanaron alfredi, found in the Caribbean
- Genus Parmops
- Parmops coruscans, found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and as far west as Tahiti and the Society Islands.
- Parmops echinatus, found in the Western Pacific Ocean, and as far east as Fiji.
- Genus Photoblepharon
- Eyelight fish Photoblepharon palpebratum
- Common flashlight fish Photoblepharon steinitzi (sometimes regarded as a subspecies of P. palpebratusis)[citation needed], found in the Red Sea and eastern Indian Ocean
- Genus Phthanophaneron
- Gulf flashlightfish, Phthanophaneron harveyi, found in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California
- Genus Protoblepharon
- Cook Islands flashlightfish, Protoblepharon rosenblatti, found near the Cook Islands
[edit]
Lanternfish sometimes known as flashlight fish include:
- Chubby flashlight fish Electrona risso, found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea
- Spotted lantern fish Myctophum punctatum, found in deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea
[edit] References
- ^ Paxton, John R. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N.. ed. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 162. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
- ^ Morin, J.G.; et al. (1975). "Light for all reasons - versatility in behavioral repertoire of flashlight fish". Science 190: 74-76.
- ^ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2008). "Anomalopidae" in FishBase. November 2008 version.
