Splitfin flashlightfish
Amazing fact
The splitfin flashlightfish is thought to use its light to defend itself against predators.
葛西臨海水族園
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An illustration based on the real animal.
A little discovery to share.
The splitfin flashlightfish is thought to use its light to defend itself against predators.
THE REAL WORLD
The real Splitfin flashlightfish
- Scientific name
- Anomalops katoptron
- Japanese name
- ヒカリキンメダイ
- Group
- Ocean animals
- Order
- Beryciformes
- Family
- Anomalopidae
- Genus
- Anomalops
It lives in schools around rocky reefs in warm seas. By day it stays still in rock crevices and caves, and it becomes active at night.
A light organ under each eye gives off a strong green light. The glow actually comes from light-producing bacteria living inside the organ.
The light organ can turn, which makes the light seem to switch on and off. The light is thought to be used for signaling to others of its kind, among other things.
Basic data
- Size
- Total length: 15 cm
- Active
- At night (nocturnal)
- Diet
- Small fish and crustaceans
- Range
- Western Pacific and south of Kominato, Chiba Prefecture
Where the Splitfin flashlightfish has been recorded
Records: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY 4.0 records, retrieved 2026-11-07). Map: Natural EarthSee the records on GBIF
Watch wild animals from a distance. Do not touch or feed them, and take care of the places where they live.
Names around the world
- 日本語
- ヒカリキンメダイ
- 简体中文
- 灯颊鲷
- 繁體中文
- 燈眼魚
- Español
- Ojo de linterna indio
- Português (Brasil)
- Peixe-lanterna-esbelto
- العربية
- السمكة المضيئة ذات الزعانف
- Русский
- Фонареглаз большой
Names come from Wikidata and iNaturalist records. Where a language has no recorded name, we use the scientific name.
Sources and how we check
- 葛西臨海水族園 — ヒカリキンメダイChecked: 2026-11-03
We check each fact against its source. The illustrations simplify how the real animal looks.
The classification (class, order, family, genus) follows Wikidata records, checked against GBIF. Classifications can change as research goes on.
The basic data are the values given in each source. They vary with how the animal is measured, whether it is male or female, and whether it lives in the wild or in captivity.
This page was translated from the original Japanese with the help of AI.
Report a mistakeWhen you meet the Splitfin flashlightfish, look for this
- You may see it eating small fish and other food.
Animals do different things from day to day, so you may not always see this.
葛西臨海水族園EXHIBIT INFORMATION
Places that keep or show the Splitfin flashlightfish
Zoos, aquariums and other places whose official websites say they keep or show this animal.
Kanto
Displays can change with the animals’ health and the seasons. Check each facility’s official website before you go.
RELATIVES
Others in Beryciformes
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