Animal
12:37, 02-May-2019
Bioluminescent firefly squids light up Toyama Bay in Japan
["china"]
Share
Copied
00:29
Every April, a dazzling blue light illuminates dozens of kilometers along the coastline of Toyama Bay. The glow is emitted from tens of thousands of firefly squids.
These creatures, also known as sparkling enope squids, ore only about seven centimeters long, but they are equipped with luminous organs that emit a deep blue light.
The flashing light can not only lure small fish for the squid to feed on, but also attract a possible mate.
The firefly squids usually stay in the deep waters during the day and float to the sea surface for food at night.
Their lifespan is rather short, around one year. They die as new eggs are laid. Their spawning season runs from March to May, when the firefly squids can be seen gathering by the billions in Toyama Bay.
Fishermen trawl a net containing a large number of glowing firefly squid, off the coast of Namerikawa city in Toyama, central Japan, 07 April 2006. /AFP Photo
Fishermen trawl a net containing a large number of glowing firefly squid, off the coast of Namerikawa city in Toyama, central Japan, 07 April 2006. /AFP Photo
The local fishermen in Japan go fishing early in the morning, and watching them has become an attraction for tourists.
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)