Lanterneye fishes
Bony fishes

Lanterneye fishesAnomalopidae

Family1 species

Lanterneye fishes (Anomalopidae) are robust, somewhat compressed fishes reaching up to 30 cm (12 in) in length. They are characterized by their dark body coloration, typically black or dark brown. A distinctive, large, oval bioluminescent organ sits below each eye, from which their common name is derived. These organs host symbiotic luminous bacteria and are controlled by a movable eyelid or by retracting the entire organ into a pouch. This allows the fish to produce a flashing light, which they use to attract prey, signal to conspecifics, and confuse predators.

During daylight hours, Lanterneye fishes conceal themselves in deep caves, under ledges, and within crevices on outer reef slopes, typically at depths ranging from 5 m (16 ft) to over 100 m (330 ft). They emerge at night to actively feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates. Encounters with divers are generally uncommon, a result of their cryptic daytime habits and preference for darker, deeper reef environments.

How to recognise lanterneye fishes
OvalEgg-shaped body, deeper than it is thick - damselfishes, surgeonfishes.
  • dark body colouration
  • large, oval light organs below each eye
  • intermittent flashing of suborbital light organs
  • hides in deep caves or crevices during day

1 species in Lanterneye fishes

Other oval-bodied groups

Similar silhouette underwater - worth a look if this was not your animal.

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Last Update: August 3, 2026