Most versatile bioluminescent fish

Most deep-sea bioluminescent fish see and emit light in the green-blue region (450-500 nm)of the visible spectrum. However, three genera of deep-sea loose-jawed dragonfish (Aristostomias, Pachystomias and Malacosteusare) are uniquely versatile in terms of bioluminescence by not only being able to do this but also being able to see and emit far-red light (maximum emission >700 nm). As none of their fish prey can see far-red light, this enables dragonfish to illuminate the darkness of their deep-sea domain surreptitiously in search of prey, without attracting the latter’s attention.

The findings were published in a study published in the journal Philosophical Transactions B on 29 September 2000.