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Splitfin or Giant Flashlight Fish (Anomalops katoptron). Flashlight fish are in the family Anomalopidae.  The Splitfin or Giant Flashlight Fish, Anomalops katoptron, is the largest of the Flashlight Fish and is native to the Indo-Pacific.  Flashlight Fish are famous for their bioluminescent organs (photophores) below each eye.  The organ accommodates live bioluminescent bacteria that produce a bright white, greenish, or slightly blue light.  The bacteria and the fish are truly engaged in a symbiotic relationship.  The fish needs the light to find food and communicate to other Flashlight Fish; the bacteria can not survive long-term any place else on Earth but inside the photophores of their respective Flashlight Fish species.  In Anomalops, the organ can be rotated outward or inward, likewise flashing the light on and off.  By day, most species live in deeper waters.  For example, Anomalops katoptron typically spends its time from 200 to 400 meters depth, common around drop offs and sea caves.   Anomalopidae,Anomalops katoptron,Deep Sea,Giant Flashlight Fish,Indo-Pacific fish,Life in the dark,Splitfin Flashlight Fish,Splitfin flashlightfish,bioluminescence,bioluminescent bacteria,symbiotic relationship Click/tap to enlarge Species intro

Splitfin or Giant Flashlight Fish (Anomalops katoptron).

Flashlight fish are in the family Anomalopidae. The Splitfin or Giant Flashlight Fish, Anomalops katoptron, is the largest of the Flashlight Fish and is native to the Indo-Pacific. Flashlight Fish are famous for their bioluminescent organs (photophores) below each eye. The organ accommodates live bioluminescent bacteria that produce a bright white, greenish, or slightly blue light. The bacteria and the fish are truly engaged in a symbiotic relationship. The fish needs the light to find food and communicate to other Flashlight Fish; the bacteria can not survive long-term any place else on Earth but inside the photophores of their respective Flashlight Fish species. In Anomalops, the organ can be rotated outward or inward, likewise flashing the light on and off. By day, most species live in deeper waters. For example, Anomalops katoptron typically spends its time from 200 to 400 meters depth, common around drop offs and sea caves.

    comments (2)

  1. Stunning symbiosis! Any country we can map this to? Posted 7 years ago
  2. Posted 7 years ago

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The splitfin flashlightfish or two-fin flashlightfish is a species of beryciform fish in the family Anomalopidae. It is found in warm waters in the central and western Pacific Ocean near shallow reefs 200–400 m in depth. It can grow to a length of 35 cm TL. It is the only known member of its genus.

Similar species: Trachichthyiformes
Species identified by Ferdy Christant
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By Anotheca

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Uploaded Apr 30, 2018. Captured Jun 14, 2011 06:47.
  • DSLR-A100
  • f/22.0
  • 1/125s
  • ISO100
  • 100mm