Photophore facts for kids

The elongate jewel squid (Histioteuthis reversa), gets its name because its body is covered in photophores, making it look like it's wearing jewels!

This diagram shows what a photophore looks like inside a cephalopod (like a squid or octopus).

A photophore is a special organ that makes light. You can find these glowing spots on many animals that live in the ocean, especially fish and cephalopods (like squid and octopuses). Some photophores are simple, while others are very complex. They can have parts like lenses, shutters, color filters, and reflectors. But unlike an eye, which takes in light, a photophore is made to create light!

The light from a photophore is a type of bioluminescence. This means it's light made by a living thing. Animals can produce this light in a few ways. Sometimes, it comes from special chemicals made during digestion. Other times, it's made by tiny cells in the animal called photocytes, which are "light-producing" cells. Some animals even have tiny, helpful bacteria living inside them that create the light!

Why Animals Use Photophores

Photophores are very important for identifying different kinds of deep sea fish. These amazing light organs help ocean animals in many ways.

Attracting Food

Many deep-sea creatures use their photophores like a fishing lure. They flash lights to attract smaller fish or other prey. This helps them catch their next meal in the dark ocean depths.

Staying Hidden

Photophores can also help animals hide from predators. This is called camouflage by counter-illumination. Imagine an animal swimming above you in the ocean. If it has photophores on its belly that match the dim light coming from the surface, it can blend in. This makes it much harder for predators below to see its shadow.

Communication and Mating

Some animals use their unique light patterns to talk to each other. They might use specific flashes to find a mate. These light shows can also help them recognize others of their own kind.

Animals with Photophores

Many different deep-sea animals have photophores. For example, the firefly squid can put on amazing light displays. Other creatures include the tiny pocket shark (Mollisquama mississippiensis) and the strawberry squid.

• 

  This picture shows how different photophores are arranged on the squid Lycoteuthis lorigera.

• 

  Here are the photophores on a lanternfish. Lanternfish are the most common deep-sea fish in the world!

• 

  This anglerfish has a very long fin ray that works like a fishing pole. At the end of it is a glowing photophore lure!

See also

• Bioluminescence
• Chromatophore
• Chromophore, part of a molecule