BBC - Science & Nature - Sea Life - Fact files: Oplophorus

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28 November 2009
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Oplophorus
Family Oplophoridae

These are deep-sea shrimps, typically red in colour, with bioluminescent photophores (light organs). Found in the mesopelagic or 'twilight' zone, they migrate at night to shallow waters to feed.

Subspecies
There are ten species including three within the genus Oplophorus.

Statistics
They are 8cm (3in) long.

Distribution
Shrimps of the family Oplophoridae are found worldwide.

Habitat
These are deep-sea shrimps, found mainly in the mesopelagic realm, at depths of between 200 and 1000m (650-3,280 ft).

Behaviour
These shrimps have very reflective eyes. When attempting to escape from a predator they will retract their eyes and swim rapidly backwards while releasing a bioluminescent cloud.

During the day, they live at depths of around 500-600m, before rising to shallower waters to feed at night.

Conservation status
Not considered threatened.

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