anyone heard of a flashlight fish?

[benrock]

My 92 gallon is almost done cycling and I'm planning way ahead in the future. I saw this cool fish on a website and was wondering if anyone has heard of it. The flashlight fish. It is bioluminescent so it glows and is mainly nocternal. Here are the stats. It's rather expensive, but I think would eventually be one cool add. Anyone have one?
Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Temperament: Peaceful
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 4"
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indian Ocean
Family: Anomalopidae
The Flashlight Fish is also known as the Twofin Flashlight Fish or Lantern Fish and is recognized by having a black body with a blue hue to its dorsal and caudal fins. It has what appears to be a glowing smile due to the bioluminescent bacteria that inhabit the light organs found just below each eye.

 

[logan15]

I have heard about them but dont know anything about them do a search on msn

 

[jim672]

I read a brief article about them some time ago and from what I remember, they were considered difficult to care for and not safe in a community-type aquarium.
Logically, if they're expensive but they're nocturnal....so you'd seldom see them.....would they be a good investment for your tank?
Jim

 

[benrock]

Good point about the cost/benefit. I thought it would be quite unique when the lights are out, but it also says they do better with other nocternal fish. I'm going to need to research what other fish are nocternal. My other fish on my want list is a Chevron Tang I think. This hobby has too many choices Thanx for the input

 

[ophiura]

I think they are best in a species only tank, and are not suited, IMO, for a community type tank.

 

[logan15]

The Flashlight Fish is also known as the Twofin Flashlight Fish or Lantern Fish and is recognized by having a black body with a blue hue to its dorsal and caudal fins. It has what appears to be a glowing smile due to the bioluminescent bacteria that inhabit the light organs found just below each eye.
These symbiotic bacteria are responsible for its glow, which is usually white but occasionally blue or yellow depending on the mood of the fish. These fish has an amazing ability to rotate the light organ within its socket in order to turn the light on and off. The light organ is used in several ways. The most common use is to communicate among themselves by increasing the frequency of the blink. Another use is in the form of defense, turning the light on, and then quickly off while darting away from a predator. The last use for their light is to attract food in the form of plankton as these tiny crustaceans are normally attracted to light.
Flashlight fish make an unforgettable display in the aquarium. One interesting fact about this species is that in certain locales around the world, skippers follow schools of flashlight fish in order to safely navigate through reef passes at night.
This nocturnal fish is well suited for the specialized aquarium that contains other nocturnal fish such as similar sized Pinecone fish, Squirrelfish, Big Eyes and Cardinalfish. A low light tank or a tank with numerous hiding places is ideal. A small group of these fish work best, as they usually will adjust more quickly and take food easier when they are maintained together. Rarely aggressive among themselves or to other fish in the aquarium, this species fares best with very passive tankmates.
The diet consisting of both frozen and live foods are ideal. These include glass shrimp, mysid or brine shrimp as well as small fish and other meaty foods are preferred.
Hope This Helps,
Logan