Splitfin flashlightfish

Splitfin flashlightfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Beryciformes
Family: Anomalopidae
Genus: Anomalops
Kner, 1868
Species: A. katoptron
Binomial name
Anomalops katoptron
(Bleeker, 1856)

Anomalops katoptron, commonly known as the splitfin flashlightfish or the two-fin flashlightfish, is a species of beryciform fish in the family Anomalopidae. A. katoptron is found in warm waters in the Central and Western Pacific Ocean in both shallow water reefs and in depths between 200 to 400 metres (660 to 1,300 ft).[1] This species grows to a length of 35 centimetres (14 in) TL. This species is the only known member of its genus.[2]

Description

The splitfin flashlightfish gets its name from its two glowing patches that are caused by bioluminescent bacteria in organs below each eye. The body is black with a blue tinge along the dorsal and caudal fins. The adult grows to a length of 35 centimetres (14 in) TL.[2]

Biology

This species is nocturnal, seeking prey in dark areas. It feeds on zooplankton.[2] If starved, the fish slowly loses the ability to emit light.[3]

In the aquarium

This fish can be found in the aquarium trade. It can be kept with other nocturnal fish, including pinecone fish, glasseye squirrelfish, and cardinalfish. This species requires plenty of hiding places and low lighting in the aquarium.[4] Spawning of the related flashlightfish Photoblepharon palpebratum in an aquarium was observed by Meyer-Rochow in 1976.[5]

References

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  1. ↑ Bray, D. J. 2011. Twofin Flashlightfish, Anomalops katoptron. In: Fishes of Australia. Accessed 20 February 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Froese, R. and D. Pauly, Editors. Anomalops katoptron. FishBase. 2015.
  3. ↑ Meyer-Rochow, V. B. (1976), "Loss of bioluminescence in Anomalops katoptron due to starvation", Experientia, 32: 1175–1176, doi:10.1007/bf01927610
  4. ↑ Anomalops katoptron. The Fish Index.
  5. ↑ Meyer-Rochow, V.B. (1976), "Some observations on spawning and fecundity in the luminescent fish Photoblepharon palpebratus", Marine Biology, 37: 325–328, doi:10.1007/bf00387487
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