Light for All Reasons: Versatility in the Behavioral Repertoire of the Flashlight Fish

Abstract

The flashlight fish, Photoblepharon , possesses headlight-like luminous organs situated in the orbit just below the eyes. On the basis of direct field and laboratory studies, it is postulated that the bioluminescence is used by the fish for many different functions: to assist in obtaining prey, to deter or escape predators, and for intraspecific communication. The fish also uses its light to see by.