沖Aulopus damasi, a deep-sea fish that fluoresces under ultraviolet light is now displayed in the Deep Sea section of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.

≪Aulopus damasi≫
Scientific name：Aulopus damasi

A species of fish in the family Aulopiformes. It is widely distributed at depths from 100 to 500 meters, from Japan’s Izu coast to Australia. In Okinawa it is found at depths around 300 meters.
Although a member of the family Aulopiformes, it looks more like a lizardfish from which it gets its Japanese name Esodamashi.

Place of exhibit

Small Life in the Deep Sea in the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Size of Exhibit

Two individuals (Full length 20 cm)

Exhibit duration

Until the end of September (estimate)
※Exhibition can end earlier depending on the condition of the animal

Through rearing, we were able to confirm for the first time in the world that this species fluoresces blueish-white under ultraviolet light. These fish on display were collected at a depth of around 350 meters during deep-sea creature surveys that took place this year on June 8th and July 25th by the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. You can observe its plain reddish body fluoresces blueish-white under ultraviolet light. The function of this fluorescence in this species is not known, however, by continuing to observe and study fluorescence through rearing of the fish it will help reveal the mysteries of deep-sea creatures.

A fish that fluoresces

It was known for corals to fluoresce under ultraviolet or blue light, but now in recent years, divers have also discovered that more than 180 species of fish fluoresce. In Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium other species that fluoresce are the rosy dwarf monocle bream
Parascolopsis eriomma) with yellow fluorescent eyes, and the checked swallowtail (Odontanthias borbonius) that fluoresces yellow and white.