Flashlight Fish (Anomalops Katoptron)

Species Name : Anomalops Katoptron 

Care Level : Difficult

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Black

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : With Caution

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 14"

Origin : Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Family : Anomalopidae

Minimum Tank Size : 125 gallons

The Flashlight Fish (Anomalops Katoptron), Splitfin Flashlightfish or Two-fin Flashlightfish is a species of beryciform fish in the family Anomalopidae.

Flashlight fish have a fusiform black body with blue edging on the dorsal and caudal fins. Conspicuous bean-shaped light organs below each eye are inhabited by symbiotic bioluminescent bacteria. These bacteria grow in tubular structures within the light organs. Light emitted by the bacteria may be blue, white, or yellow. The light emitted by the bacteria is enhanced by a reflector on the back of the light organ. The fish can rotate the light organs to flicker on and off to detect prey in the dark. The splitfin flashlight fish can flash up to 90 blinks per minute. These fish grow to 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters) average length. The maximum recorded length is 14 inches (35 centimeters).

Best kept in dimly lit 125 gallon tanks with a few caves/hideouts and a few tankmates as they are quite shy. Often frightened by the movements of other very active fishes, or even that of traffic outside the aquarium.

Flashlight Fish are nocturnal and live in schools. They hide in caves or dark overhangs during the day to avoid sunlight. This nocturnal fish is well suited for the specialized aquarium that contains other nocturnal fish such as similar sized Pinecone fish, Squirrelfish, Big Eyes and Cardinalfish. A small group of these fish work best, as they usually will adjust more quickly and take food easier when they are maintained together. Rarely aggressive among themselves or to other fish in the aquarium, this species fares best with very passive tank mates.

These fish are extremely sensitive to copper sulfate and should never be exposed to this medication.

May be difficult to get feeding, and if so, live foods, e.g., live enriched brine shrimp, grass shrimp, black worms. Over time, frozen foods like mysis, krill and brine shrimp may be more readily accepted and be fed once or twice a day.

Size: 1" to 3"