Firefly Squidホタルイカ

Watasenia scintillansLC— Least Concern

The firefly squid is a small, short-lived squid famous for its blue-green bioluminescence, produced by three distinct types of light organs — a combination unique among cephalopods — and for the spectacular springtime swarms that light up Japan's Toyama Bay.

Firefly Squid (reference photo)
Photo: 江戸村のとくぞう / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Oegopsida / Enoploteuthidae Source
Distribution
Found in waters around Japan, throughout the Sea of Japan and part of the Pacific side, with major landings in Toyama Bay and the Sea of Japan coast of Hyōgo Prefecture. Source

Did You Know?

  • In spring, hundreds of thousands of firefly squid swarm close to shore in Toyama Bay — a phenomenon considered unique in the world. Source
  • It is the only known cephalopod with three distinct types of photophores, producing both blue and green bioluminescence through a coelenterazine-based compound whose reaction depends heavily on ATP and magnesium. Source

Where to See This Species

2 facilities · 0 individuals

魚津水族館 (Uozu Suizokukan)ToyamaOpened in 1913

魚津水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

ほたるいかミュージアム (Hotaruikamyujiamu)Toyama

ホタルイカのWikipedia記事に飼育施設として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLCです。深海から沿岸へ移動する生活史を踏まえた環境把握が必要です。

Habitat

日本海などの中深層から沿岸表層。

Threats

  • 海洋環境の変化
  • 沿岸汚染
  • 漁獲圧

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 季節的な資源管理
  • 発光生物の生態教育

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why does the firefly squid glow?
It has three types of photophores (light organs) that produce blue and green bioluminescence through a coelenterazine-based reaction involving ATP and magnesium — a combination unique among cephalopods. Source
Where can you see firefly squid swarms?
Toyama Bay in Japan is famous for spring events where hundreds of thousands of firefly squid swarm close to shore, a phenomenon not documented anywhere else in the world. Source
How long do firefly squid live?
Their lifespan is about one year; they die shortly after reproducing. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org