Scorpion fish (Scorpaena barbatus), underwater fluorescence. Scorpion fish surrounded by sponges, coral (green) and algae (orange-red) photographed at


Scorpion fish (Scorpaena barbatus), underwater fluorescence. Scorpion fish surrounded by sponges, coral (green) and algae (orange-red) photographed at night using blue coloured flashlight and an orange/yellow filter. Blue light excits pigments within some underwater organisms causing them to emit a fluorescent glow. It is thought the coral's glow in attracts symbiotic algae which in turn allows the coral to grow in deeper water. Fluorescence may also offer protection against harmful ultraviolet light from the sun in shallower water. Photographed in the Red Sea, Egypt.


Size: 4292px × 2856px
Photo credit: © EYE OF SCIENCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: algae, animal, barbatus, biofluorescence, biofluorescent, biological, biology, bioluminescence, bioluminescent, coral, egypt, fauna, fish, fluoresce, fluorescence, fluorescent, fluorescing, glow, marine, nature, red, scorpaena, scorpion, sea, sponge, underwater, water, wildlife, zoological, zoology