[Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium] Exhibition Starts for Golden Sweeper, a Fish that Glows with 'Stolen Proteins'
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium began exhibiting the golden sweeper on April 1, 2026, which glows using 'stolen proteins' from sea fireflies. This phenomenon was scientifically proven via whole-genome sequencing by Tohoku University.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:36
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 05:33 (441h 56m after Collected)
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...
*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...
FAQ
Why does the Kinme Modoki glow?
It does not produce its own luminescent substance, but ingests the bioluminescent enzymes and chemical molecules by eating sea fireflies, causing its abdomen to glow blue.
Where can the Kinme Modoki be seen on display?
It is on display at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu Town, Okinawa Prefecture, from April 1, 2026.
What is stolen protein?
It refers to the phenomenon where an organism (in this case, the Kinme Modoki) ingests proteins produced by other organisms (such as sea fireflies) through predation and uses them for its own functions (such as bioluminescence).