Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Osteichthyes

Flashlight Fish Photoblepharon palpebratus

Flashlight fish live in the dark waters of the deep ocean. Under each eye, the fish have a pouch known as a photophore. Each photophore is filled with billions of bacteria that give off a greenish light. The light is a by-product of the bacteria's metabolism, much like heat given off by people when they exercise. This living light is called bioluminescence. Flashlight fish use photophores to see in the dark water,, to attract prey and mates, and to frighten or confuse predators. They turn their lights on and off by covering or uncovering the pouches with flaps of skin that act like eyelids for their photophores.

~A Swim through the Sea © 1994