[Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium] Exhibition Starts for Golden Sweeper, a Fish that Glows with 'Stolen Proteins'

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Location: Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture / Director: Keiichi Sato) has started exhibiting the golden sweeper (Parapriacanthus ransonneti), a fish that glows using 'stolen proteins' from its prey, starting April 1, 2026. Furthermore, a research team led by Assistant Professor Manabu Bessho-Uehara of Tohoku University has proven the unique phenomenon of 'stolen proteins' through 'whole-genome sequencing*'.

*Whole-genome sequencing
A technology that comprehensively reads all DNA base sequences (approximately 3 billion characters) of the genetic information (genome) possessed by an organism. Unlike conventional methods that analyze only specific genes, it can analyze entire genetic information. It is utilized in identifying cancers and intractable diseases, personalized medicine tailored to individual constitutions, treatment development, and evolutionary studies.

Golden Sweeper
Parapriacanthus ransonneti
The 'golden sweeper', with a body length of about 7 cm, is a species of the Pempheridae family inhabiting the Indo-Pacific coasts. During the day, it hides in the shadows of rocks or under corals, sometimes forming schools of tens of thousands in coral reef crevices and caves. At night, it acts actively in search of food. Although often exhibited in aquariums in Japan, its bioluminescent nature is not widely known.

State of Light Emission
When photographed from below the tank with a high-sensitivity camera in a dimly lit environment, its ventral side can be observed emitting blue light. The enzymes and chemical molecules used for this light emission cannot be produced (biosynthesized) by the golden sweeper itself; instead, they are ingested through eating its prey, a species of sea firefly (Cypridina noctiluca).

The golden sweeper is a common small fish found in Okinawa and has frequently been exhibited at our aquarium. In 2020, it was announced that this species has an unknown function of emitting light using 'stolen proteins' from its prey. Our aquarium has been feeding them a diet mixed with sea fireflies and observing the light emission with high-sensitivity cameras. Recently, a research team led by Assistant Professor Manabu Bessho-Uehara of Tohoku University proved the unique phenomenon of 'stolen proteins' through 'whole-genome sequencing...