Twofin Flashlightfish, Anomalops katoptron (Bleeker, 1856)

Scientific name: Anomalops katoptron
Twofin Flashlightfish, Anomalops katoptron I.19291-001 Click to enlarge image
Twofin Flashlightfish specimens collected in the Banda Islands, Indonesia, 4 April 1975. The large yellowish areas below the eyes are light organs. Twofin Flashlightfish, Anomalops katoptron I.19291-001 Image: Mark McGrouther
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Anomalops
    Species
    katoptron
    Family
    Anomalopidae
    Order
    Beryciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Introduction

The Twofin Flashlightfish has a large light organ below both eyes. The video below shows a fish swimming at night.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine Indo-Pacific waters.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.