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Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) — Acropomatidae

Glowbelly

Acropoma japonicum
Family: Acropomatidae

The Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) is a saltwater fish of the family Acropomatidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
35–100 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy bottoms in deeper water.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The glowbelly is a lanternbass (Acropomatidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with large eyes and a light-producing organ along the belly that glows with luminous bacteria. It lives near the bottom on sand and sandy mud bottoms in deeper water. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans and small fishes. It is marketed fresh or made into fishmeal. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Glowbelly?

The Glowbelly has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Luminous ventral organ with luminous bacteria; bottom fish of sandy and muddy bottoms in deeper water.

Where does the Glowbelly live?

The Glowbelly lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy bottoms in deeper water.

How big does the Glowbelly get?

The Glowbelly grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Glowbelly dangerous to humans?

No, the Glowbelly is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Glowbelly edible?

Yes, the Glowbelly is commonly eaten.

More photos

Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) — Acropomatidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) tern911, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) — Acropomatidae — 3
Bell Museum, University of Minnesota (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — JFBM
Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) — Acropomatidae — 4
Bell Museum, University of Minnesota (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — JFBM
Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) — Acropomatidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) taiwan_habu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Glowbelly verified
Scientific name
Acropoma japonicum
Family
Acropomatidae
Other names
Glowbelly; Japanese bass; Japanese seabass; Lanternbelly verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
35 verified
Max depth (m)
100 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy and muddy bottoms in deeper water.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Luminous ventral organ with luminous bacteria; bottom fish of sandy and muddy bottoms in deeper water. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acropoma

More from the family Acropomatidae

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