December 2018 PMID 29995896

Visual tuning in the flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron to detect blue, bioluminescent light.

Melanie D Mark, Marcel Donner, Dennis Eickelbeck, Jennifer Stepien, Minou Nowrousian, Ulrich Kück, Frank Paris, Jens Hellinger, Stefan Herlitze

Mentions

36
Peak: 21 in Nov 2020
across 6 sources since Nov 2020

Extended reach

542,447
potential audience

Total likes

8,851

Video views

386,147

Mentions per month

Nov 2020 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter25 posts
  • News6 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts
  • Facebook1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussions reveal enthusiasm about the flashlight fish's bioluminescent abilities, with posts describing how these fish use their built-in 'flashlights' for navigation and communication. Words like 'amazing,' 'nature is really cool,' and references to scientific videos and studies demonstrate both interest and recognition of scientific importance, reflecting a positive and engaged perception of the research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express fascination and approval of the study, highlighting the biological marvel of flashlight fish and their unique adaptations.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity, sharing resources, praising nature's innovations, and referencing related scientific content, reflecting widespread engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts actively discuss the mechanisms of bioluminescence and its evolutionary significance, indicating meaningful participation.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest an appreciation of the significance of such research in understanding marine biology and evolution, though primarily on an educational level.

Abstract in brief

  • The study examined how the flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron detects blue bioluminescent light, focusing on its visual system which includes rods and cones, with special pigments (rhodopsins) sensitive to around 490 nm wavelength, matching the fish's bioluminescence.
  • Researchers used phylogenetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral methods, finding that A. katoptron is attracted to low-intensity blue light but not red light, indicating an adaptation to detect its bioluminescent environment.
  • The findings suggest that the fish's visual system is specifically tuned to perceive blue light within the same spectrum as its own bioluminescence and starlight, likely aiding in communication and environmental navigation.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
c0nc0rdance
@c0nc0rdance · X

Some additional resources & studies on this unusual species and their flashlight eyes. https://t.co/nT41yPttTn https://t.co/Ip88H99Ega https://t.co/nKwJt2CYI5

Mar 18, 2023 · 92 likes · 4 shares · 9,802 followers View post →
Arctostaphylos Regismontana
@arctostaphylos-r.bsky.social · Bluesky

The Flashlight Fish, of course! youtu.be/lURhJrFkJ_M?...

Jun 6, 2025 · 65 likes · 11 shares View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

No one likes to eat dinner in the dark, which is why these deep sea dwellers come with their own flashlights! https://t.co/EUXYmH6w0H https://t.co/UUXyeQEJDx

Nov 9, 2020 · 25 likes · 4 shares · 112,387 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does this... I'll wait". https://t.co/KShCp3t0fn

Nov 9, 2020 · 6 likes · 5 shares · 7,647 followers View post →
Kory Yanfei (Evans PhD)
@KoryYanfei · X

RT @friel: Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does thi…

Nov 9, 2020 · 5 shares · 12,617 followers View post →
Kim Landsbergen Ph.D.
@treebiology · X

RT @friel: Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does thi…

Nov 9, 2020 · 5 shares · 2,647 followers View post →

All mentions

Arctostaphylos Regismontana
@arctostaphylos-r.bsky.social · Bluesky

The Flashlight Fish, of course! youtu.be/lURhJrFkJ_M?...

Jun 6, 2025 · 65 likes · 11 shares View post →
Denise Ryan
@B1RDERGIRL · X

RT @c0nc0rdance: Some additional resources & studies on this unusual species and their flashlight eyes. https://t.co/nT41yPttTn https://t…

Mar 20, 2023 · 4 shares · 888 followers View post →
Cyperbunk✨Astarion Simp
@TheLittleNoctua · X

RT @c0nc0rdance: Some additional resources & studies on this unusual species and their flashlight eyes. https://t.co/nT41yPttTn https://t…

Mar 20, 2023 · 4 shares · 101 followers View post →
Kabir Chatterjee
@Logicoraptor · X

RT @c0nc0rdance: Some additional resources & studies on this unusual species and their flashlight eyes. https://t.co/nT41yPttTn https://t…

Mar 20, 2023 · 4 shares · 141 followers View post →
El Guapo
@dobsonius · X

RT @c0nc0rdance: Some additional resources & studies on this unusual species and their flashlight eyes. https://t.co/nT41yPttTn https://t…

Mar 19, 2023 · 4 shares · 38 followers View post →
c0nc0rdance
@c0nc0rdance · X

Some additional resources & studies on this unusual species and their flashlight eyes. https://t.co/nT41yPttTn https://t.co/Ip88H99Ega https://t.co/nKwJt2CYI5

Mar 18, 2023 · 92 likes · 4 shares · 9,802 followers View post →
Luca
@SorrisoCattivo · X

https://t.co/qBsxvKaGdT

Nov 15, 2020 · 138 followers View post →
Paul
@PaulAdams72 · X

#Evolution is amazing! https://t.co/dLVih2GdZ6

Nov 11, 2020 · 1,951 followers View post →
nelle (she/her, abortion is healthcare)
@lovelokest · X

Nature is really cool: https://t.co/BUSju5ye48

Nov 11, 2020 · 359 followers View post →
PodcastsIListenTo
@PodcastsIListen · X

.@SciShow published daily videos about current questions from the world of science. https://t.co/Eb8JSny8o2 Newsletter: https://t.co/jsq9u5dDiI #biology #science #scishow #trivia #fish #flashlights https://t.co/nNzTiOLF6y

Nov 10, 2020 · 26 followers View post →
Cecile Braconnier
@braco001 · X

3 Fish With Built-In Flashlights https://t.co/PADyF8CTxv via @YouTube

Nov 10, 2020 · 738 followers View post →
Asta Muratti
@AstaMuratti · X

RT @SciShow: No one likes to eat dinner in the dark, which is why these deep sea dwellers come with their own flashlights! https://t.co/E…

Nov 10, 2020 · 4 shares · 1,225 followers View post →
Kim Landsbergen Ph.D.
@treebiology · X

RT @friel: Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does thi…

Nov 9, 2020 · 5 shares · 2,647 followers View post →
Kory Yanfei (Evans PhD)
@KoryYanfei · X

RT @friel: Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does thi…

Nov 9, 2020 · 5 shares · 12,617 followers View post →
Marcus didius falco
@falcos2012 · X

RT @SciShow: No one likes to eat dinner in the dark, which is why these deep sea dwellers come with their own flashlights! https://t.co/E…

Nov 9, 2020 · 4 shares · 885 followers View post →
C Rush
@sciencerush · X

RT @SciShow: No one likes to eat dinner in the dark, which is why these deep sea dwellers come with their own flashlights! https://t.co/E…

Nov 9, 2020 · 4 shares · 302 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: No one likes to eat dinner in the dark, which is why these deep sea dwellers come with their own flashlights! https://t.co/E…

Nov 9, 2020 · 4 shares · 370 followers View post →
Leonardo Viana
@leonardopviana · X

RT @friel: Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does thi…

Nov 9, 2020 · 5 shares · 896 followers View post →
No Such Thing as a Seagull
@nosuchseagull · X

RT @SciShow: No one likes to eat dinner in the dark, which is why these deep sea dwellers come with their own flashlights! https://t.co/E…

Nov 9, 2020 · 4 shares · 546 followers View post →
Tweetledee
@TweetleDee2b · X

RT @friel: Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does thi…

Nov 9, 2020 · 5 shares · 965 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

No one likes to eat dinner in the dark, which is why these deep sea dwellers come with their own flashlights! https://t.co/EUXYmH6w0H https://t.co/UUXyeQEJDx

Nov 9, 2020 · 25 likes · 4 shares · 112,387 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

Active photolocation in fishes via occular sparks and photophores. In the words of @Sternarchella, "Call me when a bird does this... I'll wait". https://t.co/KShCp3t0fn

Nov 9, 2020 · 6 likes · 5 shares · 7,647 followers View post →
e-csce
@e_csce · X

3 Fish With Built-In Flashlights @ https://t.co/d3AfgJE0gv https://t.co/6UeKKVTu7V

Nov 9, 2020 · 116 followers View post →
Pink Program
@PinkProgram1 · X

3 Fish With Built-In Flashlights https://t.co/s7aIulwffD via @YouTube

Nov 9, 2020 · 515 followers View post →
RageAgainstTxitter
@RageAgainstTwit · X

@Foxworth24 https://t.co/TXWYTCXJRK

Nov 9, 2020 · 678 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: 3 Fish With Built-In Flashlights https://t.co/ZXo3qTPnr4

Nov 9, 2020 · 83 followers View post →
A Fish, with a Luminous Organ, Designed for the Growth of ...
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... (e0198765), (2018).https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198765 · Crossref. Ilan Karplus,. The Associations between Fishes and Luminescent Bacteria, Symbiosis in ...

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... 10.1371/journal.pone.0198765, http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0198765. Quelle: Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Hat ...

Oct 19, 2018 View →
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... journals.plos. org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone. 0198765 http://news.rub.de/english/press- releases/2018-07-12-biology-light ...

Jul 18, 2018 View →
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... 10.1371/journal.pone.0198765, http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0198765. Bilder. Der Blitzlichtfisch lebt in ...

Jul 12, 2018 View →
Light receptors determine the behavior of flashlight fish | EurekAlert!
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Journal: PLOS One; Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198765. Keywords. /Life sciences/Biophysics/ ...

Jul 12, 2018 View →
Light receptors determine the behavior of flashlight fish | ScienceDaily
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PLOS ONE, 2018; 13 (7): e0198765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198765. Cite This Page: MLA; APA; Chicago. Ruhr-University Bochum. "Light receptors ...

Jul 12, 2018 View →