Study Finds Widespread Biofluorescence Among Fish

Biofluorescence is widespread among marine fish species, indicating its importance in communication and avoiding detection, finds a new study. The research shows that biofluorescence - a phenomenon where organisms absorb light, transform it, and emit it as a different color - is more common in the animal kingdom than previously known.

Conducting aquarium-based experiments and a series of reef dives using high-intensity blue lighting, the researchers led by scientists from the American Museum of Natural History identified more than 180 species of biofluorescent fishes across 50 fish families.